How the Alchemist relates to African American Studies - Essay Example

2 October How the Alchemist relates to African American Studies There are several facts about the story The Alchemist that reflect its resemblance with the African American notions and spirit. The connotations start to show up right from the beginning of the story when Santiago is described as a shepherd who wishes to be free to wander with the sheep. For centuries, African American literature has presented them as slaves that were not free to roam about anywhere. African slaves were not allowed to receive education even if they wished to.

Likewise, Santiago wants to have a book to read from but doesn’t have it. Santiago fancies becoming rich and independent like all slaves would. In fact, the same sense of dare is conveyed by several other characters of the story as well, like the camel driver said while talking to Santiago, “We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it’s our life or our possessions or our property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand” (Coelho 76).

African American literature narrates several accounts of the African tribes’ wars most of them originated because one tribe wanted to attack the other and confiscate their possessions in order to become richer than the other. One can sense the same level of dare in Santiago’s resolution to keep going on and encounter further challenges with whatever he attains rather than reverting to where he came from. His ability to struggle and find work elsewhere and earn his living also tells that he is hard working like African slaves.

Works Cited:Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. Brazil: Editora Rocco Ltd., 1988. Print.