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CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter serves as the base of the protocol taken by the writer in conducting the study. Besides, this chapter also provides a synopsis of the novel
in conjunction with the topic elevated and gives the highlight of the approach addressed to this study. This chapter is composed from three parts which are
object of the study, approach of the study, and method of the study.
A. Object of the Study
This thesis studies a 163 pages novel by Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist. It was written and published in Portuguese language in 1986 and then published in
English by Harper Torch in 1993. The novel tells the story of Santiago, a boy who has a dream and also the courage to follow it. After listening to “the signs” the
boy ventures into his journey of exploration and self-discovery, particularly searching for a hidden treasure near the pyramids in Egypt.
When the boy decides to go, his father advices him to follow his heart and find the best. During his journey, Santiago experiences the greatness of the world
and meets numerous exciting people like kings and alchemists. However, near the end of the novel, the boy finally discovers that the treasure lies where your heart
belongs, and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired on the way. Sometimes, the path teaches you all
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important lessons and hence holds more importance than the ultimate goal at the end of that path.
The Alchemist is an exciting novel that overflows with optimism. It is the kind of novel that tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it
to happen. That may sound somewhat like a common belief and an over- simplified version of new-age philosophy, belief and mysticism. However,
sometimes, simple things are the most valuable and only people who are wise enough, can appreciate them.
B. Approach of the Study
The focus of this study is the spiritual transformation experienced by Santiago. The moral-philosophical approach was used in this study in order to
examine the philosophical teaching of alchemy tradition as seen in the spiritual transformation of Santiago. Alchemy tradition and its teachings is described in the
novel as a science of transmuting metals into gold, so this study tries to see this physical theory in philosophical way to get the whole meaning of the story
through its morals and values that the author tries to tell the reader.
C. Method of the Study
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