I know that this is a Greek myth about a very handsome man
called narcissus who was very vain. He was so vain that he stared at his
refection all day long in a lake just looking at himself. Over time he fell deeply
in love with himself. One day, when he couldn't stand to just look at his beauty
anymore, he dove into the lake, and drowned to death.
The traditional interpretation is that narcissus deserved to die
because of his vanity. He was self-centered was only able to be happy when thinking
about himself. This story is meant to be
a warning to other people, to not be vain like narcissus, because it only leads
to trouble.
I think that the relationship between the re-telling of narcissus
and the alchemist is about finding people to help you. The lake and narcissus made each other happy. They may have been vain and imperfect things but they
brought each other joy. They saw their own beauty reflected on other surface
and only then were able to see themselves. I think it also has to do with the
soul of the world. When you stare into the soul of the world, it stares right
back at you. And if you hurt yourself you hurt the soul of the world with you. Everything
is connected and your decisions have an impact on every other thing. As the
king said “there is a force that wants you to realize your personal legend” (29).
The reason that that force is around, is because when you achieve your personal
legend you help yourself, also help the soul of the world. Many people help the
shepherded along in his story and help to direct his quest, the king, the gypsy,
the store keeper. Even the thief steals
from him helps him to be stronger because only after being stolen from he realized
that he could “”choose between thinking of himself as the poor victim of a thief
and as an adventurer looking for treasure.” (42)
The boy comes from Spain but most of the book takes place in Egypt.
I think one of the reasons that the author did this was to help signal a big
change. He had to re-learn everything he knew and adapt to the new place. Egypt
is also a romanticized land. Of impossible feats, the pyramids, of erratic
floods that can destroy everything you have, the Nile, and of great, long lost,
treasures. Spain is viewed as a more plushy country. It has fantastic weather
and beautiful women. The contrast between Spain and Egypt also highlights just
how much he gave up for his personal legend.
Her introduction brings up his role
in society. “if you know how to read, why are you just a shepherd” (6) the
words “just a shepherd” show a lot. It shows that he is low on the totem pole
in society. It also shows about how if he really wanted to, he could have done
something others would have labeled as “more important” or gain him more
respect or money. He is a shepherd because he loves to travel. It shows that he
is already in touch with his personal legend a lot more than many other people
are. He has already begun to do things just for the sake of making himself
happy. Which, as the king points out, is very rare.
The boy’s original motive was to become rich. He finds the
treasure. The story would most likely feel a little incomplete without it. I think
the fact that he travels all the way too Egypt then all the way back helps you
to understand that it isn't about the money, it’s about the journey you take. Of
course the money doesn't hurt, but I think that if the boy had come to the end
of his travels, only to find nothing, I don’t think he would be very disappointed.
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