P & P Blog 4

Mr. Darcy unexpectedly proposes to Elizabeth. Of course, she declines. She was already opposed to Darcy's haughty disposition, but after hearing some disturbing news from Colonel Fitzwilliam, she had become increasingly more infuriated with Darcy. Darcy then admits to Elizabeth that he intentionally sabotaged Jane and Bingley's relationship and kept him from marrying Jane. These odious words make Elizabeth wonder why in the world Darcy would think she would accept. Darcy later explains in a letter to Elizabeth that the reason he broke Jane and Bingley up, was because he wanted to save Jane heartbreak. If he were to have waited until the two were married, then the difference in class would surely destroy them both. After Darcy leaves, Elizabeth is shocked that someone of Darcy's class would even propose marriage to her. She knows that her family would be upset that she declined, but she isn't looking for a prudent marriage, she's looking for love and she is completely sure she wouldn't find it with Darcy.

P & P Blog 3

Elizabeth, while visiting Charlotte, is encountered once again by Mr. Darcy. This time, however, Darcy brings a cousin, Fitzwillaim along with him. Elizabeth at first is not too enthused about having to see Darcy, but one night after dinner, they have an interesting argument. Elizabeth uses her conversation with Fitzwilliam to deride Darcy while he is in the room, so it is obvious that Elizabeth is not trying to conceal her feelings from Darcy. In fact, she wants him to know, but she finds it more powerful if she condescends to him through his cousin. Of course, Darcy replies very laconically, and does not really give Elizabeth the benefit of the doubt. The following day, Mr. Darcy wanders off to Elizabeth's room and claims that he did not think her to be alone. However, instead of leaving, he stays and attempts to have a pleasant conversation with her. Elizabeth finds Darcy to be surprisingly amiable. However, their paltry conversation lacks any sort of concrete structure so their interaction suffers from quiet awkwardness several times. Once Darcy finally departs, Charlotte declares that Darcy must be in love with Elizabeth if he decided to specifically spend time with her. Elizabeth is not so easily convinced. Elizabeth is still suffering from a confirmation bias, and she will not allow her opinion of Darcy to change. Elizabeth begins to notice Darcy taking a sudden interest in her. But, Elizabeth find out from Fitzwilliam that Darcy "saved" a friend from an "imprudent marriage". Because of her confirmation bias, Elizabeth automatically believes this is referring to Mr. Bingley and Jane. Elizabeth is now convinced that Darcy intentionally sabotaged her sister's chance for felicity.

P & P Blog 2

Although Elizabeth originally thought Mr. Darcy to be quite implacable, she is starting to realize that he is more than meets the eye. Mr. Darcy is very picky when it comes to choosing a consort. He doesn't like the idea of conforming to society and choosing a wife just for financial or status fulfillment. Elizabeth, after being insulted by Mr. Darcy, wanted nothing to do with him and would speak openly without seeking his approbation. However, now that she is somewhat aware that he is interested in her, she is starting to be a little more open minded regarding her attitude towards Mr. Darcy. She is starting to respect his unique disposition. The fact that Mr. Darcy is looking for something other than what is expected from him is a very endearing quality. But Mr. Darcy's straightforward and honest attitude sometimes leaves Elizabeth befuddled. Elizabeth mentions that the two are similar: "We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room" (Austen 80). Mr. Darcy is quick to disagree with this assertion. He basically says outright, "no". This type of person can be seen in today's society quite often. If someone is speaking ironically and trying to be funny, but the other doesn't have the greatest sense of humor, their reaction will most definitely resemble, "what the hell are you talking about?". If someone so readily shoots down something that is truly believed by another, then the conversation can become tense. The person who was embarrassed by this comment will most likely experience immediate disdain for that person. So even though Elizabeth thought she was starting to understand Mr. Darcy, there is still one thing she must overcome for them to have a more intimate relationship: his abrasive disposition.

P & P Blog 1

It is very clear that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet greatly disagree when it comes to their daughters. Mr. Bennet does not try to conceal the fact that he is sometimes disappointed in his daughters as he calls them "silly". Mrs. Bennet however quickly disagrees and tells her husband that it is okay to make light of other's children, but not his own. But Mr. Bennet basically says that he shouldn't lie about something like that and that he's not really making fun of his daughters, he's just pointing out a flaw. This problem between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet seems to be larger than what is given to the reader. I don't believe that they simply disagree about how their daughters present themselves, I think they have two completely conflicting personalities. One has trouble omitting the truth, the other has no problem disregarding others but glorifies anything that may cause ruin to her if she were to mock it. I find it hard to believe that these two characters could ever meet and find each other appealing enough to get married and then raise five children together. It seems quite plausible that Mr. Bennet would have decided to not omit the truth if Mrs. Bennet had ever asked him the question, "Do I look fat in this dress?". Mrs. Bennet seems too proud of a person to let Mr. Bennet get away with anything, especially being completely honest in inappropriate situations. Mr. Bennet does not think that doing this is rude, but it certainly seems as if Mrs. Bennet can't tolerate it. So I am unsure that two people with these pronounced traits would be able to coexist for so long without killing each other in reality.

The Alchemist Essay

Peter Sanfacon

Mr. George

World Lit Honors

4 January 2011

Prompt: Although Santiago gains spiritual perspective by following his Personal Legend, his original motive was monetary gain. Through the story of The Alchemist, what is Coelho trying to say about the relationship between material wealth and spiritual wealth?

The Quest for Wealth: Material or Spiritual?

            In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, one of the recurrent motifs is Material Wealth vs. Spiritual Wealth. This concept is evident in Santiago’s pursuit of his Personal Legend, which happens to be a treasure. After a recurring dream, Santiago is told to seek out a treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids by a gypsy. He is skeptical until a man named Melchizadek tells him that it is his Personal Legend and that he must pursue his dream to find true happiness. Originally, Santiago believes that what Melchizadek is referring to is that he will find happiness from the wealth he discovers at the pyramids. He eventually finds out that coveting greed does not lead to happiness on its own. What Santiago eventually finds is contentedness once he has overcome obstacles and has reached the place he has dreamed of. Coelho uses this story to derive from it an internal meaning: finding spiritual satisfaction. Coelho delivers to the reader the message that Santiago is not in jubilation because he finds treasure, but because he finds what he is looking for. Through the narrative of The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho asserts the idea that what is most important about a journey is not what is wanted, but how badly it is wanted, and whether or not one is willing to do anything to achieve his goal.

            Santiago originally covets traveling, the thought of marrying the daughter of a merchant, and learning more about his treasure. However, Santiago doesn’t truly want any of these things; his heart is not in it. Melchizadek tells Santiago that one’s Personal Legend is his “mission on earth” (22). Santiago then asks, “Even when all you want to do is travel? Or marry the daughter of a textile merchant?” (22) Santiago does not yet believe that he has a higher purpose or an ultimate goal. Melchizadek goes on to say, “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” (22). Melchizadek is trying to tell Santiago that when he truly wants something, he will get it. He is never completely committed to traveling or marrying the merchant’s daughter, that it is why he ceases to pursue those dreams. Santiago then meets a boy who is seemingly willing to help him travel to the Pyramids. However, while the boy is inspecting Santiago’s money, a beautiful sword distracts Santiago. He then has a painful realization: “He was afraid to look around, because he knew what he would find. He continued to look at the beautiful sword for a bit longer, until he summoned the courage to turn around” (38). The boy who Santiago thought to be a new friend runs off with all of his money, leaving the possibility of achieving his dream slim to none. If what Melchizadek was saying were true, then Santiago would have succeeded in continuing on his path to the Pyramids. If “all the universe conspires in helping [one] achieve” one’s goal something is desired, then this means that Santiago doesn’t want it enough. His heart is not in it. Thus, he is not yet ready to continue on his journey to achieve his Personal Legend.

            Santiago stops trying to reach his goal because it may yield financial benefits, and instead continues to walk the path he chooses just because of the fact that it is his goal. Santiago is eager to return to Tarifa to see the merchant’s daughter when he thinks to himself, “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting” (Coelho 11). Even Santiago himself believes early on that the simple act of wanting something may improve his life. The very thought of his dream coming true pulls him from his monotonous existence into the realm of possibility. Santiago states that this possibility “makes life interesting”, which also refers to the fact that his life will cease to be stagnant and he will be free to enjoy his life. This is an example of Coelho’s thesis: Santiago is clearly content just by wanting something wholeheartedly. While Santiago is working for the crystal merchant, Santiago talks to him about his dream of going to Mecca. When Santiago asks the merchant why he doesn’t just go to Mecca, the crystal merchant describes to Santiago a very important revelation: “Because it’s the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That’s what helps me face these days that are all the same, these mute crystals on the shelves, and lunch and dinner at that same horrible café. I’m afraid that if my dream is realized, I’ll have no reason to go on living” (55). The crystal merchant doesn’t need to pursue his dream to be happy. He is perfectly content with just wanting to go to Mecca and never actually going. This is another crucial part of Coelho’s message: all that is important about one’s dream is to be content with one’s choices and oneself. Both the crystal merchant and Santiago are different when it comes to their pursuit of their respective Personal Legends, which is apparent when the crystal merchant says, “you dream about your sheep and the Pyramids, but you’re different from me, because you want to realize your dreams. I just want to dream about Mecca” (55). Through this statement, the crystal merchant teaches Santiago that it is perfectly fine not to pursue one’s dreams, as longs that person is content with the decision.

            By contrasting the concepts of material wealth and spiritual wealth, Coelho brings to light what is truly important about a person’s journey: to develop a stronger confidence in one’s abilities and to truly want something with one’s heart. After reaching a village, the alchemist tells the chief that Santiago can turn into the wind in three days. The chief vows to kill them both if Santiago is unsuccessful. On that third day, judgment day, something unbelievable occurs: “When the simum ceased to blow, everyone looked to the place where the boy had been. But he was no longer there; he was standing next to a sand-covered sentinel on the far side of the camp” (153). The alchemist is trying to teach Santiago to wholeheartedly believe in his dream and himself. This lesson also harkens back to what Melchizadek said: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it” (22). If Santiago does not truly want to turn into the wind, then he will not; he will fail. What would await him would be death at the hands of the chief. However, this is not the case. He was successful in turning into the wind. This is because he believes he has to, to realize his Personal Legend. That makes him completely committed to the task at hand. The alchemist is left smiling “because he had found his perfect disciple” (153). He finds a person who undoubtedly believes in himself. This is most likely the alchemist’s Personal Legend: to help Santiago realize his own Personal Legend. This is why the alchemist was never afraid that Santiago would fail and then be killed by the chief. The whole world conspires to help the alchemist succeed in his pursuit of his Personal Legend, which happens to be Santiago’s success in pursuit of his own. So the alchemist knew that there was no way that Santiago wouldn’t turn into the wind, because he would be killed, thus failing his Personal Legend. If Santiago fails, then the alchemist fails; the alchemist cannot fail because he wholeheartedly believes that he can succeed in his Personal Legend.

            Coelho’s theory that everyone must be determined to be successful is discernible from the journeys of Santiago and the alchemist. Material wealth is gained through desire, but spiritual wealth is gained through undeniable yearning to succeed. Both the alchemist and Santiago benefit from spiritual wealth by the end of The Alchemist. This narrative is about staying true to one’s heart; both the alchemist and Santiago succeed in this endeavor.

The Alchemist Blog 4

"Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart" (159).

When someone is on a quest for something, their heart may or not be in it. If it is, and one succeeds, then the heart will be satisfied because the person knows that they tried their hardest to accomplish their goal. If they don't try, and they fail, they know exactly why they failed: they didn't try. When students get bad grades, there is never confusion. There may be frustration and disappointment, but there should never be confusion. If I get a bad grade on a test, I know exactly why I got that bad grade. Either I didn't study enough, or I never learned the material well enough, or I just didn't try. When someone tries their hardest and they fail, that is the ultimate disappointment, but in some way, they are satisfied because they gave it their all. So no matter what the "treasure" may be for Santiago, he will be satisfied because he saw his Personal Legend through to the end.

The Alchemist Blog 3

Fatima is a girl that Santiago meets at a well at the Oasis. Originally, she seems uninterested. She somewhat dismisses everything that Santiago says. It seems like she doesn't want to be rude to Santiago. Santiago tells Fatima that he loves her, and she doesn't seem too excited, but she is startled by the news because she drops the water jug. Santiago tells her that the war is a blessing in disguise because he has met Fatima. She automatically looks for a reason to convince him otherwise. She says that "the war is going to end someday", as if the only reason he loves her is because of the war.