Symbolism In The Alchemist

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Symbolism: One of the literary devices that Paulo Coelho uses throughout The Alchemist is symbolism. He indirectly expresses ideas through symbolic images such as the pyramids of egypt, urim and thummim, his sheep, Alchemy, and the desert. Paulo through Santiago uses the sheep as a symbol reflecting those who blindly but humbly live their lives without having the drive to discover their Personal Legend. The sheep also symbolize those that are ignorant and go about their daily lives afraid to have a change. He also used Alchemy to symbolize purification in the soul. Santiagos impurities are his desires that don’t let him grow as his own person, he seeks for acceptance, riches, and love, which he on his journey learns to let go and be free