Part 2, Section 5: Summary

Finally, Santiago finds the alchemist, who, surprisingly enough, tells Santiago that he has been anticipating his arrival. Nonetheless, Santiago feels that the alchemist may have been expecting the Englishman and might have even mistaken him for the latter. However, the alchemist dispels that notion. He tells him that even though the Englishman is on the right path, he still has things to learn. The alchemist’s words about the universe coming to the aid of those pursuing their dreams echo that of Melchizedek’s. Santiago at that moment realizes that the alchemist is someone who has been sent to help him. Accordingly, the alchemist urges him to leave the oasis and continue his journey.

The alchemist and Santiago leave the oasis by moonlight. When Santiago expresses regret at leaving Fatima, he is told by the alchemist that if he does not pursue his dreams, he would regret it forever. True love can never be an impediment. Santiago bids goodbye to Fatima, who promises to wait for him.

A few days later, they are captured by hostile tribesmen. They accuse both of them of being spies. The alchemist promptly hands over all of Santiago’s money and informs the tribe that within three days Santiago will transform himself into the wind, or give up his life. The superstitious tribesmen agree to wait. Santiago, however, is distraught by the turn of events.

In the interim, Santiago takes to speaking to the desert, the wind, and the sun. They tell him that the miracle can happen only if the supreme power wills it. The boy prays in an attempt to be one with the Soul of the World, and realizes that his soul, too, is a part of the Soul of God. “And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles.”

In the midst of a sandstorm, the boy disappears into the wind and reappears on the other side of the camp. The tribesmen are in awe, and Santiago and the alchemist are allowed to continue their journey. Santiago, however, travels alone for the rest of the journey. When he finally reaches the pyramids, he interprets the presence of an insect as an omen and starts digging at that very spot. He is soon accosted by a group of men who beat him up and force him to continue digging. When the ground yields no treasure, one member of the group dismissively states that people shouldn’t believe in dreams. The member also adds that he, too, had dreamt of a treasure buried under a sycamore tree near a ruined church, but the dream hadn’t come to fruition. Santiago immediately realizes that this is the church near his home. He travels back to Spain, and there, right under the tree where he slept, he finds his hidden treasure! He now vows to pay the gypsy woman who had foretold his fate and then return to the woman he loves, Fatima.

Part 2, Section 5: Analysis

Until this section, the only alchemist we meet is the alchemist of the oasis; in turn, it wouldn’t have been wrong to assume that the book has been named after him. However, it is in this section that we know that Santiago is also destined to be an alchemist. Toward the end, we even witness Santiago performing a miracle.

That Santiago is given three days to try and transform himself into the wind is important for its symbolism. For Christ’s resurrection, too, took place over three days. It could also refer to the Holy Trinity: the Father, God; Christ, the son of God; and the Holy Ghost.