Religious The Characterization of Santiago

“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 The third time when Melchizedek shows that he is able to read what a person thinks is when they converse about omens and the treasure that Santiago wants to find. While they are talking about how Santiago will find the treasure, suddenly a butterfly flutters between them. Santiago remembers what his grandfather has told him. Butterflies are good omen, like crickets, grasshopper, lizards, and four-leaf clovers. Melchizedek says that his grandfather is right about the good omens Coelho 29. As a king, Melchizedek is a wise person. He is willing to have conversation with a shepherd like Santiago. Moreover, he likes to share with him about Personal Legend which topic is never heard by Santiago. “I’m the king of Salem,” the old man said. “Why would a king be talking with a shepherd?” the boy asked, awed and embarrassed. “For several reasons. But let’s say that the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend.” The boy didn’t know what a person’s “Personal Legend” was. “It’s what you always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is.” Coelho 21 Melchizedek likes to give his wise advice to Santiago. He knows that Santiago needs something that can make him sure about his later decision. Melchizedek tries to convince him that when he wants something in his life, all the universe conspires of helping him to achieve it. It is because the Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness, unhappiness, envy, and jealousy Coelho 22. When Santiago is ready to search the treasure, Melchizedek tells him another story about the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world. By telling him this story, Melchizedek hopes that Santiago will always remember PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI about his sheep. The message of the story is always remembering the drops of oil on the spoon while enjoying all the marvels of the world. That is the secret of happiness. Santiago understands the story. He realizes that as a shepherd he may not forget to his flock while he travelling around the world Coelho 32. Since Melchizedek is a wise person, he tells a story to Santiago that can convince him to follow his Personal Legend. Melchizedek tells him that it is more important to think about our own Personal Legend than to think what people think about us. His story compares between bakers and shepherds. He says that people think bakers are more important than shepherds. Parents are happy if their children marry with bakers than shepherds. It is because bakers have homes but shepherds always travel and live outside. It hurts Santiago. The old man says that in the end, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important than their own Personal Legend Coelho 23. Melchizedek is a generous person. When he is success in convincing Santiago to follow his Personal Legend that is finding the treasure, he gives his two precious stones to him. Melchizedek says that the two stones will help him to read the omens during his journey in finding the treasure. “Take these,” said the old man. Holding out a white stone and a black stone that had been embedded at the center of the breastplate. “They are called Urrim and Thummim. The black signifies ‘yes’ and the white ‘no’. whne you are unable to read the omens, they will help you to do so. Always ask an objective question. Coelho 30 Melchizedek is a king of Salem. The reader can find the story about him in the Holy Bible Hebrew 7: 1–14. Melchizedek is also known as the priest of the Most High God. His first name means King of Righteousness. Since he is a king PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI