English II Pre-AP The Hero’s Journey Unit: Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
Reading Questions: Part I (to page 49)
Part 1: Map Santiago’s Hero’s Journey: For each part of the first section of Joseph Campbell’s “Monomyth” template, describe a scene from the novel. Write in complete sentences and be specific.
THE DEPARTURE:
1. The Ordinary World: Where the character lives before the journey. Setting, character, background.
2. The Call to Adventure: The hero is presented with a problem, a challenge, or a mission.
3. Refusal of the Call: The hero hesitates because of fear. Then something happens to further tempt the hero to take up the challenge.
4. Supernatural Aid: Someone enters the picture to guide the hero.
5. Crossing the First Threshold: The hero takes his/her first step into the new world.
Part 2: Answer the following questions in full sentences with text evidence from the novel and your own analysis.
6. The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? What symbolism might the sheep and their lives have?
7. What, according to the King of Salem, is “the world’s biggest lie,” and how has Santiago shown that he has not fallen for it?
8. What point does the old man’s story about the boy in the castle and the drops of oil make? How might this story apply to us in our modern lives?
English II Pre-AP The Hero’s Journey Unit: Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
Reading Questions: Part I (to page 49)
Part 1: Map Santiago’s Hero’s Journey: For each part of the first section of Joseph Campbell’s “Monomyth” template, describe a scene from the novel. Write in complete sentences and be specific.
THE DEPARTURE:
1. The Ordinary World: Where the character lives before the journey. Setting, character, background.
2. The Call to Adventure: The hero is presented with a problem, a challenge, or a mission.
3. Refusal of the Call: The hero hesitates because of fear. Then something happens to further tempt the hero to take up the challenge.
4. Supernatural Aid: Someone enters the picture to guide the hero.
5. Crossing the First Threshold: The hero takes his/her first step into the new world.
Part 2: Answer the following questions in full sentences with text evidence from the novel and your own analysis.
6. The novel opens with Santiago thinking about his sheep. What does he observe about their existence? What symbolism might the sheep and their lives have?
7. What, according to the King of Salem, is “the world’s biggest lie,” and how has Santiago shown that he has not fallen for it?
8. What point does the old man’s story about the boy in the castle and the drops of oil make? How might this story apply to us in our modern lives?