A person should make all efforts to realise his/her dreams. Once a person resolved that he would realise his or
her dream, the hidden powers of universe will come to his/her aid, this is what Paulo Coelho tells in his novel ‘Alchemist’. The theme of novel is based on subject ‘you must go forward to realise your dream’.
The novel is written in positive tone, which can fill even a depressed person with energy. Like many other novels of Coelho, the story revolves around a central character, Santiago, who lives in Andalusia and chooses a life of shepherd. His father tried to persuade Santiago to carry on studies and lead a decent life in the village. But, the boy prefers the occupation, as shepherd. A recurring dream of hidden treasure near the Pyramids in Egypt haunts Santiago, during his sleeps. Then, he decides to move forward to realise his dream.
The novel tells that Santiago on his way to achieve his goal faces experiences positive as well as negative forces, which are in the path to test his willingness in realising his dream. During his adventure he learns that most of the persons succumb to fear that they will never be able to achieve the dream. Some persons will compromise with the adverse situation prevailing around.
As Coelho is the master of blending spiritualism, magic and omens with reality, he leads the readers into skillfully woven plots. Novel says that a person must go forward to achieve his dream. Otherwise he will not achieve happiness in the life. One can achieve hidden treasure like Santiago. In the end, if reader decides to follow his dreams, then he/she must read ‘Eleven Minutes’ of the Paulo Coelho, in which he describes how hard realities, puts a person into agonizing conditions.