say toward his decision does not affect him much. He is determined to continue his journey finding the treasure.
4.2 The Characterization of The Minor Characters
According to Milligan 195, minor characters appear more limited than major character. Their function in the story is only to strengthen the major
character. In this study, five minor characters influence Santiago’s motivation to realize his dream. They are the old man, known as Melchizedek, the crystal
merchant, the English man, the desert woman, named Fatima, and the Alchemist. According to Murphy, there are nine methods to reveal the personalities
and traits of a character used by the author for the readers 161-173. Those are personal description, character as seen by others, speech, past life, conversation of
others, reactions, direct comment, thought, and mannerism. Some of nine methods are also applied in this analysis to convey those minor characters personalities and
traits. Moreover, they are portrayed in the story as follows:
4.2.1 Melchizedek Known as The Old Man
Melchizedek is first known as an old man. The author calls Melchizedek as an old man very often during the story. In the beginning of the story, the author
calls Melchizedek as an old man many times. The readers can find it when Melchizedek has a conversation with Santiago at their first meeting Coelho 16-
17. In addition, Santiago is surprised when he knows that Melchizedek is able to read.
“Hmm…” said the old man, looking at all sides of the book, as if it were strange object. “This is an important book, but it’s really irritating.” The
boy was shocked. The old man knew how to read and had already the book. Coelho 17
Although Melchizedek is an old man, yet he is an intelligent person. When Santiago reads a book, Melchizedek gives his opinion about the book. It means he
is able to read and has already read the book. He tells Santiago that the book tells about Personal Legends Coelho 18.
Melchizedek’s intelligence also can be seen when he tells Santiago about the world’s greatest lie. This topic is related with the book that Santiago reads.
“’It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.’”
Coelho 18 There are not many people know about this topic. The person who really understands about world’s greatest lie is only the one who understands the
meaning of life. As an intelligent person, Melchizedek has many ways to convince
Santiago that his Personal Legend is travelling to find the treasure. Melchizedek offers him a lesson about the treasure with a fee one-tenth of his flock.
Melchizedek knows that Santiago has to be separated with them to make him focus with the treasure.
Melchizedek is a king of Salem. Being a king should be an intelligent person because a king should think about his kingdom and think how to protect
his people. “So, what is Salem like?” he asked, trying to get some sort of clue.
“And what do you do in Salem?” he insisted. “What do I do in Salem?” The old man laughed. “Well, I’m king of
Salem” People say strange things, the boy thought. Coelho 19
The author uses the main character’s opinion to describe about how Melchizedek dresses. He dresses like an Arab. It seems very strange for Santiago
in the first time. Then he realizes that there are many Arabs in the city because Africa is only two - hour - trip from Tarifa. They can go and come easily Coelho
18. Melchizedek knows many things very well, including the things that only
a few people know. He is also able to read what a person thinks in his mind. He shows this ability when he has a conversation with Santiago about the world’s
greatest lie. It is when people lose control of their own lives, of what happen to them. And fate starts controlling people’s lives. It reminds Santiago to what
happens in his life when his parents want him to become a priest but he decides to become a shepherd. Santiago is surprised because the old man knows what he
thinks about Coelho 18. Melchizedek shows that he knows many things in people’s lives, in this
case is Santiago’s life. In the first time meeting with him, Santiago never tells Melchizedek about his family, his experience, or even his secret. However,
Melchizedek knows it all. He writes them down in the sand of the plaza where they converse. He writes the names of Santiago’s parents, the name of the
seminary he has attended, and the name of the merchant’s daughter. Again, Santiago is surprised because he himself does not know her name. He tells none
about the girl Coelho 21. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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