The Influence of Setting toward Santiago’s Characteristics as seen in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
The Influence of Setting toward Santiago’s Characteristics as seen in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By
OCTOVIDA WIJAYANTI
Student Number: 994214001
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2007
The Influence of Setting toward Santiago’s Characteristics as seen in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters
By
OCTOVIDA WIJAYANTI
Student Number: 994214001
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2007
Don’t let your heart control your head (Celine Dion)
This undergraduate thesis is dedicated to
My beloved parents, brother and relatives & My dearest friends .Octovida Wijayanti
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I realize that I am not alone in doing this thesis. Therefore, I would like to thank them all. First of all, I am greatfull to Jesus Christ for his generosity. It is impossible for me to finish this thesis without his guidance and blessing. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisor Dra. Theresia Enny Anggraini, M.A, who helped me in doing this thesis from the start. I would like to thank her for her advice and support. This thesis is depicted especially to my mother, Maria Florentina
Haniah . She is the greatest mother of all. I would thank to her very much for loving
me. I am nothing without her. I thank her for understanding that I cannot finish my study sooner and giving me chance to be independent. I thank her for the trust on me and prayer every night. I would say special thank to my late father, Vincentius Herry
Purnomo , for blessing so that I can survive and also to my little brother, Mahardhika
Andre Marliano , for his pray and attentionI would like say thank to my uncle, Bapak Metodius Hidayat and my aunty, Ibu Kristini without their financial support I cannot finish my study.
I would say thanks also to my grandmother, Elizabeth Saminah for her kindness.
My special thanks go to my beloved heart, Albertus Tjatur Wiharyo, S.S. I really thank to the Almighty God for giving me chance to know him and to spend this greatest time with him. He has a great meaning in my life. Thank you for being a special person as a friend and as a brother for me.
I also would say thank to: My beloved relatives Pak Dhe Jong, Papa Tung, Cie Wa, Cie Sien, Yuyun,
San-san, Ade, Anggi, Lia, Erlin, Henri, Monic, Michael, and Marcelus
Belimbing’s family, Ibu and Bapak Suwandi, Mas Ranto, Mba Endah, Puput,
SusterLulut and Mas Edi’s Family, I would say thank for their pray and love for me.
Beo community: Hera, Citra, Mba Lisa, Pengung, Brindil, Lusy, Reti, Melda, Asti, Dina, Josephine, Jambu, Anna, and Nambro.
The 99’ners: Angga, Lita, Kristin, Wita, Lenny, Bondan, Ria, Lala My best friends: Yovita, Fanny, Yogo, Toto, Priyo, Moko, and Anggun.
Octovida Wijayanti
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ................................................................................................... i APPROVAL PAGE ......................................................................................... ii ACCEPTANCE PAGE .................................................................................... iii MOTTO PAGE ................................................................................................ iv DEDICATION PAGE...................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................. viii ABSTRACT..................................................................................................... x ABSTRAK ....................................................................................................... xi
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 1
A. Background of the Study.................................................................... 1 B. Problem Formulation.......................................................................... 2 C. Objectives of the Study ...................................................................... 2 D. Definition of Terms............................................................................ 3CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW ................................................. 4
A. Review of Related Studies ................................................................. 4 B. Review of Related Theories ............................................................... 51. Theory of Setting............................................................................. 5
2. Theory of Character ........................................................................ 6
3. Theory of Characterization ............................................................. 8
C. Review of Relation between Setting and Character ........................... 11
D. Theoretical Framework ...................................................................... 12
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY .............................................................. 14
A. Object of the Study............................................................................. 14 B. Approach of the Study........................................................................ 14 C. Method of the Study ........................................................................... 15CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS ........................................................................... 16
A. The Setting of the Story .................................................................... 161. Andalusia ...................................................................................... 16
2. Tangier .......................................................................................... 18
3. The Desert ..................................................................................... 21
4. Pyramids........................................................................................ 25
B. Santiago’s Characteristics Described in the Story............................. 26
1. Friendly ......................................................................................... 27
2. Curious .......................................................................................... 28
4. Naive ............................................................................................. 31
5. Adventure...................................................................................... 32
C. The Main Character as Influenced by the Setting of the Story . ............. 35
1. Survive ........................................................................................... 35
2. Brave .............................................................................................. 36
3. Wise................................................................................................ 38
4. Courageous..................................................................................... 44
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION ...................................................................... 47
BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................... 51
ABSTRACT
Octovida Wijayanti. The Influence of Setting toward Santiago’s Characteristics
as seen in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Yogyakarta: Department of English
Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2007.This thesis discuses the novel of Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist. The Alchemist is Paulo Coelho’s best seller novel. The focus of this thesis is on the intrinsic elements. This novel describes the life of a young boy named Santiago. This novel tells about Santiago who struggles to seek his dreams.
This thesis has three problems. The first problem is how the setting described. The second is how the character of Santiago depicted. The third is to show the relation between the setting and the Santiago’s characteristics.
To develop this study, the writer Formalistic approach. This approach focuses on the study of intrinsic elements of a literary work. Therefore, by using the formalistic approach, I will be able to find the relation between the setting and characteristics of Santiago as the main character in the novel.
Based on the analysis of the problems, the writer concludes the answers for the three problems formulated. The writer has found that there are four settings in the story, Andalusia, Tangier, the desert and Pyramids. Andalusia is the place where Santiago begins the story, while Tangier, the desert and Pyramids are the places where his journey to get the treasure in his dreams takes place. Santiago is seen as a sociable young man who is at the same time curious and naïve. He believes in God though he leaves the monastery and he loves to travel that is why he becomes a shepherd. Santiago’s characterization is seen to be influenced by the settings as he adapts to the settings during his journey to find the treasure. He becomes strong at will determined as he stays with the crystal merchant in Tangier whom complains all the time, moreover he is willing to take risk in his life such as when he confess about his dream to the tribesmen who tried to rob him. Santiago has slowly changed into a young man who is wise, patient and courageous while he journeys and stays in Al- Fayoum. He meets the woman he loves and a great alchemist in the journey to find the treasure but he does not find the treasure in the place mentioned in his dream, Pyramids. Instead, he finds the treasure in his own country, Andalusia.
Through the story, the writer is able to see Santiago’s journey as the reality where people tend to seek for the things they consider as worthy in another place while sometimes they are able to find the same thing or even worthier in their origin.
ABSTRAK
Octovida Wijayanti. The Influence of Setting toward Santiago’s Characteristics
as seen in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris,
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2007.Skripsi ini mendiskusikan sebuah novel karys Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist. The
Alchemist adalah sebuah novel karya Paulo Coelho yang paling popular. Fokus
penelitian ini terletak pada studi elemen-elemen intrinsik. Novel ini menggambarkan tentang kehidupan seorang anak lelaki yang bernama Santiago. Novel ini menceritakan tentang Santiago yang berjuang mewujudkan mimpinya.
Skripsi ini mempunyai tiga permasalahan. Permasalahan pertama yaitu menunjukan bagaimana setting digambarkan. Permasalahan yang kedua yaitu menunjukan bagaimana karakter Santiago dilukiskan. Permasalahan yang ketiga yaitu menghubungkan hubungan antara setting dan karakter dari Santiago.
Untuk menegembangkan analisa penelitian ini, penulis menggunakan pendekatan Formalistik. Pendekatan ini menekankan pada penelitian terhadap elemen-elemen intrinsik dari suatu karya sastra. Oleh sebab itu, dengan memakai pendekatan Formalistik, penulis akan dapat menghubungkan hubungan antara setting dengan karakter dari Santiago sebagai tokoh utama dalam novel ini.
Berdasar pada analisis, penulis menyimpulkan jawaban dari ketiga perumusan masalah. Penulis menemukan bahwa ada empat latar tempat dalam novel ini, Andalusia, Tangier, padang pasir dan Piramid. Andalusia adalah tempat dimana Santiago memulai kisahnya, sementara Tangier, padang pasir dan Piramid adalah tempat-tempat dimana perjalanan untuk menemukan harta karunnya dilakukan. Santiago adalah seorang anak muda yang supel sekaligus selalu ingin tahu dan naïf. Dia percaya pada Tuhan walau sudah meninggalkan biara dan dia senang bepergian maka dari itu ia menjadi seorang penggembala. Karakter Santiago terpengaruh oleh latar tempat dimana dia melakukan perjalanan untuk menemukan harta karun. Santiago menjadi teguh dalam pendiriannya seperti ketika dia tinggal bersama pedagang kristal yang selalu mengeluh di Tangier, lebih jauh lagi dia berani mengambil resiko dalam hidupnya seperti saat dia mengakui tentang mimpinya kepada tentara suku yang mencoba merampoknya. Tak hanya itu, perlahan-lahan Santiago berubah menjadi seorang pemuda yang bijaksana, sabar dan pemberani dalam perjalanan dan saat dia tinggal di Al-Fayoum. Dia bertemu dengan wanita yang dicintainya dan seorang alkemis hebat dalam perjalanannya menemukan harta karun tetapi dia tidak menemukan harta tersebut di Piramid seperti mimpinya. Santiago menemukan harta tersebut di Andalusia, tempat asalnya. Melalui novel ini, penulis bisa melihat perjalanan Santiago sebagai kenyataan dimana orang cenderung mencari barang dan hal yang mereka anggap berharga di tempat lain sementara terkadang mereka bisa menemukan hal yang yang sama atau mungkin lebih pada tempat asal mereka.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Study Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist was originally published in Rio de Janeiro
1988 by Editora Rocco Ltd. The Alchemist is an English version of O Alquimista, the Portuguese original edition. Harper Collins Publisher publishes the English version copyright by on 1998. The Alchemist is a story about a boy, named Santiago who struggles to seek his dreams. Every human life has their way. We, as a human being has to choose our direction and to not surrender to our destiny.
In this subject the writer focuses on character, especially the main character, Santiago, because the writer is curious about self-changes in Santiago’s character. In other words every event that he faces shows the development on his personalities.
Based on Indonesian proverb “dimana bumi dipijak, disitu langit dijunjung”, which mean that wherever we like, we must respect and act based on the situation and condition that exist around us.
The writer interested in analyzing Santiago’s character through the relationship with the setting in the novel. According to Harmon and Holman “A dynamic character, on the other hand, is one who is modified by actions and experiences, and one objective of the work in which the character appears is to reveal the consequences of these actions” (1996: 89). Murphy says, “The setting of the novel has a great effect upon the personalities, action, and the way of thinking of the characters” (1972:41).
The theory of Harmon and Holman and Murphy have the same idea with the theory from Rohrberger and Woods, “The setting never exists by itself and it explains the characters and the situation, and it influences the atmosphere” (1971:22).
The character in the novel is determined by certain places believes in interaction with the environment such as a society moral value influences the character development. By knowing those two elements, the character and setting, the writer tries to relate them
B. Problem Formulation
1. How is setting described in the story?
2. How is the Santiago Characteristics described in the story?
3. How does the setting influence Santiago?
C. Objectives of the Study
Related to the problems above, there are three objectives of the study that are going to be discovered. To answer problem number one, the first thing that the writer does is to describe the setting in the novel.
To answer the second one, the writer will describe the character and characterization also the life of the main character in the novel.
For the last the writer will find the correlation between the setting and the characteristics of the main character. It will be easiest way to know how far the setting influences the main character, Santiago in the novel.
D. Definition of Terms
1. Influence
Influence is the capacity on power of person or things to produce effects on others by intangible or direct means and influence is the action of process of producing such effect. (Marius, 1991:691)
2. Character
In A Glossary of Literary Terms, Abrams defines “character as the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, which are in interpreted by the readers as being endowed with moral and dispositions qualities that are expressed in what they say (the dialogue) and what they do (the action)” (1981: 20).
3. Setting
The background against action takes place. The elements making up a setting are: (a) The geographical location, its topography, scenery, and such physical arrangements as the location of the windows and doors in a room; (b) The occupations and daily manner of living of the characters;
(c) The time or period in which the action takes place, for example, epoch in history or season of the year; (d) The general environment of the characters, for example, religious, mental, moral, social, and emotional conditions (Harmon & Holman, 1996: 477)
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW A. Review of Related Studies
rd
Milorad Pavic, a journalist, on June 23 1999, stated that The Alchemist is a great literary work. According to him Paulo Coelho writes this book with so many details which are incredible and so intricate since they are things the readers would not even think would matter but they do. The trial that is carried throughout the story makes all the events flow together. This story links about the faith, power, and courage. He added the descriptions of the faith, power, and courage which were very accurate and through this story the reader gets the feel for that those people must have realize their dreams.
(http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp/id=15619) Joseph Girzone, author of Joshua stated the book’s success brought the moral message to the general public, causing many ordinary citizens to form their own moral judgments, often critical ones, of the nature of dream, while they previously would have been more apathetic.
(http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp/id=9556) According to Anthony Robbins the author of Awaken of the Giant Within, The
Alchemist is a story that has the comic charm, dramatic tension, and psychological
intensity of a fairy tale.Malcom Boyd, a Modern Maturity columnist stated that the alchemist is an unabashed delight and inspirational wonder. The Fable in the novel is a roseate amalgam of spiritual quest, existential puzzle, lovely sensitivity, and deep strength. (http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp/id=15719)
Author of If you Listen, Charlotte Zolotow said that the mystic quality in the odd adventures of the boy, Santiago, may bring not only him but others to recognizing and reaching their own inner destinies. (http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp/id=22275)
This study focusing on the setting in the novel and would directly compare with the character of the main character in the novel. The setting related to the character in the novel because the setting in the novel makes effect to changes of character. This research would be different since others study do not fully put their focuses on the setting and character but just take certain experience life to explain certain ideas.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Setting
Setting can be noticed in a limited sense and in a large sense. In a limited sense it refers to “the general place” that is particular physical location in which the story takes place. It also refers to the social circumstances that are situations or conditions, and environments in which the characters live (Abrams, 1981:175).
Holman and Harmon also include spiritual background as part of setting. There are four elements that help to create a setting in a story, namely:
a.
The real geographical location that includes the topography and scenery; the
setting may also be indoor location like the physical arrangements of the furniture or the position of windows and door of the room.
b.
The character’s occupation and daily attitudes or activities of living.
c.
The time or era in which the action happens, for examples: the year, the season, or
it might be an epoch in history, etc.d.
The general environment through which the characters act or move; which may
include the character’s religious background, mental or emotional conditions, as well as the social and moral condition (1986:465).
According to van de Laar and Schoonderwood, setting refers to the place where and the time at which the story happens. That is say the writer should prepare the scene of the plot of the story. Similar with the characters, the setting can be drawn from the real but is not taken straightly from the reality which means there should be a kind of distortion to suit the purpose of the novel. (1958:172) Setting has an important role as it may determine the credibility of the work.
It influences the characters and contributes to the atmosphere or the mood of the work. In a certain way stand as a symbol as well (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971:22), and many imply a theme of the story (Stanton, 1965:18)
2. Theory of Character
E. M. Forster categorizes character into simple or flat character and complex character or round character.
a. Simple or flat character
Simple or flat which is defined as a single idea or quality, is presented in outline without individualizing detail. Therefore, it can be described as a single phrase or sentence. A flat character is generally possessed just one dominant trait, or at most very few traits in clear and simple relationship to one another. Forster calls this kind of character flat because we only see one side of him. Thus, there are two advantages of flat character. The first is that the reader can recognize the character in the story easily. It means that by seeing only a part of a person’s character, the readers can get the description of the whole character. The second advantage is that the character does not have many changes from the beginning until the end of the story. Therefore, the flat character remains the readers’ mind unalterable for the reason that he is not change by the circumstances.
b. Complex or round character
The character is called complex or round because he is complex in temperament and motivation and is represented with subtle particularity. The complex character is more life like than the simple character because in life people In order to clarify more about the characteristic or round character, Forster also add that…we remember him in connection with the great scenes. It indicates that we do not remember him so easily for he waxes and waned and has many facets like human beings. Therefore, he is as difficult to describe with any adequacy
As person in real life, and like most people, he is capable of surprising is (1974:48) According to Roger B. Henkle, character can be described as major and secondary one or minor.
a. Major character
Major characters are the most significant characters in a novel. They deserve the readers’ fullest attention. The role of major character is to build the reader’s expectation and desires, which in modification, shift or establish their values. They are created to give the amplitude and attention to present convincing dramatization of human issues of the book.
b. Secondary characters or minor character
Secondary characters or the minor are the less important characters that major characters. Generally, they are less complex or less intense and drawn in shallower relief. Secondary characters are limited in ways that the major characters are not. They may be less sophisticated, so that their responses to the experience are less complex and interesting. (1977:87-101)
3. Theory of Characterization
Rohrberger and Woods state that characterization is the process by which an author creates the characters. The characterization has a big role since it is a process in which a character is presented as a real person who lives in a real life. Literary works are not jus a piece of writing, but they are pieces of writing that involve the descriptions of each character’s appearance of physique and personalities. (1971: 83) According to Murphy in his book Understanding Unseen there are nine ways to see characters in a story (1972:161). They are:
a. Personal description
It refers to the physical appearance of the characters. The author can describe the characters’ physical appearance such as the face, body, and clothes of the characters. In general the physical appearance of the characters determines what kind of people they are. This description almost always helps the readers both to visualize the person and to understand his characteristics. Even such obvious physical attribute, as young and old age, beauty and ugliness, should be taken in this way.
b. Characters as seen by another
Sometimes, a character is not described directly by the author. He uses other characters’ eyes and opinions to help us to draw the description. What other characters think about the certain character can be a significant factor to build up our understanding of him.
c. Speech
The author can give the reader some clues through what the character says, whenever he is in conversation with another, and whenever he gives his opinion, he gives us some clues to his personality.
d. Past life
The past life of the character determines the present character. It can be seen through the direct comment produced by the author, through the character’s thoughts, through his conversation or through the medium of another person.
e. Conversation of Others
To draw a judgment only by what the character says is not enough since the character himself might be hypocritical. To help us to obtain more information to support our judgment of the character, we need to pay attention to the conversation of other characters, and the things they say about him. It I useful to go through speech, to determine exactly what is meat or implied by each of them.
f. Reactions
Just as the character’s speech reflects his motivations and his attitude, his gestures and movements are actions out of his motives. In attempting to understand the characters, we need to focus on what he tries to do, and how he reacts to various situations and events. Next, we discover the way in which these motives combine with what they actually do to make up his description.
g. Direct comment
The characterization in this way is done by giving the readers a straightforward description about or comment on the character. It helps us find out information about the character easily. Sometimes, the description is provided at the beginning of the story when we have not been quite familiar with the personality accurately as the writer intends to. It also means that the possibility of misinterpretation can be decreased.
h. Thoughts
Whenever the author gives a direct description of the characters’ mind; and what he is thinking about, we are led to a more profound analysis of the mental process of the character. We follow the inner life of the mind and then make the association of the ideas within it as one breed. In brief, we are facilitated to disclose the thought inside the characters’ mid: we trace the “invisible act” rather than solely referring to his visible action.
i. Mannerism
The last way to recognize the character is through the description of his mannerism, habits or idiosyncrasies. Mannerism refers to a particular habit of behavior or speech. While an idiosyncrasy is refer to a persons’ particular way of thinking and behaving.
C. Review of Relation between Setting and Character
There is a clear relation between society and characters. The society as one of the elements of setting on the story is important in affecting the action and characters. It can even be said that the characteristic pattern of a person will be formed by the condition of his environment. The setting of place, time, and the people may influence the character’s style of life, the way they speak, the way they act, and the way they think.
According to Murphy in his Understanding Unseen, setting divides into three points; they are time, place, and atmosphere. Atmosphere of the people is part of the novel also. It means that the general feeling that conveyed to the reader. Therefore, people can talk of the atmosphere of a novel or a part of it as being gloomy, somber, terrifying, evil, and optimistic and so on.
According to Van De Laar and Schoonder Wood, the place where and the time at which something happens often color the thing happening and sometimes even shape it. A novelist must make his story happen somewhere. He must set the time so that the reader can consider the setting when he images it related to characters in the story like the characters of the novel, scene must be drawn somehow from real life. Scene and environment are as important as the characters because the scene is also supporting the action of the characters that happen in the story what the characters do is related to the condition of the environment at that time that happen in the story.
They will do something as a result of the condition the setting of place and time
D. Theoretical Frameworks
Since the thesis discusses about the influence of the setting toward the characterization of the main character, therefore the writer tries to apply theory of character and characterization to find out how the character in the novel is really depicted by the author.
It will be much easier for us to examine the main character’s life thought his habits, action and his interaction to his surrounding in the novel. In this case, the writer uses the theory of Murphy, in the book Understanding Unseen where there are ways in which an author tries to make the character understandable. The second theory that the writer used is theory of setting. The writer thinks that this theory is valuable to help the writer to learn deeper about the setting. It seems there is a very close relationship between the setting and the changes of the character.
Finally, as a result, the readers will easily understand in what role or how far the setting influences the character of Santiago. By using this theory it will be easier to find out the character of Santiago change because of the setting.
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY A. Object of the Study The Alchemist was written by Paulo Coelho in 1988, but, the writer use the
novel which published in 2002 consists of 167 pages and is divided in 2 parts. The novel that the writer chooses is published by HarperToarch, New York.
The object of this research was Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. The novel tells about portrait of a boy, named Santiago. He is an Andalusia shepherd boy, has a dream about finding a treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt. This research would specifically put more attention to the setting in the story that is influence the character of Santiago.
B. Approach of the Study
In this thesis, the writer will apply the Formalistic approach in order to support the analysis. The writer uses this approach because it is appropriate to the topic of the analysis that is to study the life of a character in a novel and the correlation with the setting. The source for this approach will be taken from Wilfred L Guerin in A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature.
Wilfred. L. Guerin stated, “ As its name suggests formalistic criticism has its sac object the discovery and explanation of form in the work itself and thus the relative unimportance of extra considerations such as the author’s life, his times, sociological, political, economic, or psychological implication.” The formalistic approach only focuses on the novel, which is going to be analyzed the intrinsic element is the base on this approach. Therefore, the external element is unimportant for formalistic criticism.
C. Method of the Study
This thesis applied the library research. There were four steps to do it. The first step in analyzing the novel was to read and understand the novel itself. After reading the novel, the writer tried to look for the problems appeared, and to understand what the novel talks about. Therefore, the writer read the novel many times for getting the point. In this process, the writer needed a specific dictionary to define some words or terms which were perhaps different from the ones used today.
The second step was to look for more useful data to the study. Here, the writer also needed theory about character. In other words, there were some references needed to know and understand about character, and characteristics. The last step was to determine the approach used in this thesis. The formalistic approach was chosen. The formalistic approach was used because it is important to analyze the character and setting in the novel.
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS In this chapter, the writer will analyze the problem formulation one by one. The first problem discusses the setting of the story. The second problem deals with
the characteristics of the main character of the story, Santiago while he is at the origin place, Andalusia. Meanwhile the last problem discusses the character development of the main character as influence by the setting of the story. All these discussions are aimed to see how the setting of place may give contribution to the change of one’s character.
A. The Setting of the Story
There are several places used as the setting in the novel, they are Andalusia, Tangier (Africa), the desert (on the way to Al-Fayoum and to the Pyramids, Al- Fayoum - the oasis, and a military camp) and a small part of the Pyramids. The time
th
of the setting is during the late 18 century. The writer is trying to describe the settings one by one, in order to help the reader to understand the thesis.
1. Andalusia
Andalusia is located in Spain. It is separated from Tangier by a strait. The place is discussed in this part because this is the place where Santiago begins his journey for his dream. It is slightly mentioned by Santiago when he first meets Melchizedek at the plaza in Tarifa, Andalusia.
The boy noticed that the man’s clothing was strange. He looked like an Arab, which was not unusual in those parts. Africa was only a few hours from Tarifa; one had only to cross the narrow straits by boat. Arabs often appeared in the city, shopping and chanting their strange prayer several times a day. (P.18)
It is usual for Santiago to see people dressed up like Arabs because Tarifa is only two hours by boat from Tangier, Africa. Arab merchants are usually gone to shop in the plaza of Tarifa. In Tarifa the goods are more varieties. That is not the only reason, the Arabs are so used to the city that they are easily chants their prayer there.
The hills of Andalusia were only two hours away, but there was an entire desert between him and the Pyramids. (P. 64) Santiago remembers Andalusia by its hills where he uses to herd his sheep because Andalusia is an area with many green hills which is perfect for it. The boy has had wander in these hills within two years of his time as a shepherd. They are one of his “friends” during his life in the “past”.
The girl was typical of the region of Andalusia, with flowing black hair, and eyes that vaguely recalled the Moorish conquerors. (P. 5) The quotation above is a quick glimpse about the physical condition of the female inhabitants of Andalusia. Here the girl that means the merchant’s daughter is described as typical women of Andalusia by Santiago. The Andalusia women are described to have black hair and eyes which are alike to the Moors who were the conqueror of Spain coming from Africa.
…he went to the market for something to eat, he traded his book for one that was thicker, and he found a bench in the plaza where he could sample the new wine he had bought. (P. 15) We can see Tarifa in the quotation above since it describes the situation of
Tarifa when Santiago visits the city. Tarifa is quite a big city. It has a market where people can get anything to eat and even buy some wine. People can also buy or trade books it also has a plaza where people can gather, or even just to sit down and enjoy the day as Santiago does.
As he walked past the city’s castle, he interrupted his return, and climbed the stone ramp that led to the top of the wall. From there he could see Africa in the distance. He could see the entire city from where he sat, including the plaza…(P. 26-27) At the highest point in Tarifa, there is an old fort, built by the Moors. From atop its walls, one can catch a glimpse of Africa. (P. 33) Both quotations above are describing the city of Tarifa. It is war’s remnant and the fact that it is near to Africa. The city of Tarifa is located near Africa. When the Moors conquer Spain, they left a fort at the town. From atop walls of this fort, one can catch a glimpse of Africa and able to see the whole city of Tarifa including the plaza. Not only that but the city also has a castle which Santiago past through when he is having some thoughts because of the dreams he had.
2. Tangier, Africa
Tangier is a port city in Africa and easily reach from Andalusia by boat. Since it is a port, the city is very busy and crowded. Santiago arrives at the port after he sells his sheep to a friend in Andalusia.
How strange Africa is, thought the boy. He was sitting in a bar very much like the other bars he had seen along the narrow streets of Tangier. Some men were smoking from a gigantic pipe that they passed from one to the other. In just a few hours he had seen men walking hand in hand, women with their faces covered, and priests that climbed to the tops of towers and chanted—as everyone about him went to their knees and placed their foreheads on the ground. (P.33-34) The quotation above is Tangier in the eyes of Santiago, a port-city with so many people, men and women. He learns that as the priests climbs to the tops of the towers and chants, everyone around him will be on their knees and places their forehead to the ground. These people are praying in the way of Moslem which is the majority population of Tangier. The city is populated by very different people if compared to Tarifa, Andalusia. Here, the women cover their faces and some men are smoking from gigantic pipe. This is very different compared to Tarifa.
“Sit down and let me treat you to something,” said the boy. “And ask for a glass of wine for me. I hate this tea.” “There is no wine in this country,” the young man said. “The religion here forbids it.” (P.35) The quotation above shows that since the majority in Tangier is Moslem, the bars do not serve wine because alcohol is forbidden in the rules of Moslem. That is why even though Santiago goes to a bar but he will not be served with wine only tea. comes from, where wine is commonly served. The point is that Tangier has bars but they do not serve wine only tea.
“Tangier is not like the rest of Africa. This is a port, and every port has its thieves,” said the young man. (P. 37) The quotation above is taken from a young man Santiago meets in a bar, he warns Santiago to be very careful in Tangier because the city is a port and it is known that every port has various kinds of thieves. Here, the reader may see that Tangier is different from any other town in Africa.
They walked together through the narrow streets of Tangier. Everywhere there were stalls with items for sale. They reached the center of the plaza where the market was held. There were thousands of people there, arguing, selling, and buying; vegetables for sale amongst daggers, and carpets displayed alongside tobacco. (P. 37) Tangier is such a busy city, although it is full of narrow streets but there are so many stalls selling many items. It also has a plaza where the market is opened. The hectic of the market is described at the quotation above. It is mentioned that thousands of people are in the market, arguing, buying and selling many kinds of items, from vegetables until daggers, from carpets to tobacco. It seems everything a man needs in his life is available in the market in Tangier.
…a priest climbed to the top of a nearby tower and began his chant; everyone in the market fell to their knees, touched their foreheads to the ground, and took up the chant. Then, like a colony of worker ants, they dismantled their stalls and left. (P. 38)
Tangier is a city with Moslem as its inhabitants and the people go with the custom willingly. It is shown when they close their stalls after the evening chant, right before the sun sets. They do this as if reminded by the chant of the priest and they dismantle their stalls automatically without argument or hesitation, as Santiago calls them a colony of worker ants.
But, as time passed, Tangier had changed. The nearby city of Ceuta had grown faster than Tangier, and business had fallen off. Neighbors moved away, and there remained only a few small shops on the hill. (P.44-45) From the quotation above, we can see Tangier in the eyes of the crystal merchant. The merchant has had been in the city for thirty years by selling and buying crystal pieces and he sees Tangier is no longer a crowded city as it uses to be. Business in Tangier is no longer as good as it used to be for him because a nearby city called Ceuta has developed better than Tangier has. In fact, many of his neighbors’ shops leave the city and only a few small shops stay on the hill where the crystal merchant is located.
3. The desert
The desert in here is not only the desert but also the oasis (Al-Fayoum) and a military camp where Santiago and the alchemist are once taken as captives. First, the desert to Al-Fayoum will be discussed, secondly, Al-Fayoum itself, lastly, the desert to the Pyramids and a military camp on the way.
But, in the desert, there was only the sound of the eternal wind, and of the
“I’ve crossed these sands many times,” said one of the camel drivers one night. “But the desert is so huge, and the horizons so distant, that they make a person feel small, and as if he should remain silent.”(P. 73) The desert in here is the desert on the way to Al-Fayoum, it is the first desert
Santiago ever face and he realizes that it is a very quiet place, even people is afraid to disturb its quietness. People seem to enjoy the silent and respect it, they speak very little to absorb the existence of the wind and the silent.
To reach the Pyramids in Egypt, Santiago has to go to Al-Fayoum first. It is an oasis in the desert between Tangier and Egypt. He reaches this place by joining a caravan of merchants.
The boy couldn’t believe what he was seeing: the oasis, rather than being just a well surrounded by a few palm trees—as he had seen once in a geography book—was much larger than many towns back in Spain. There were three hundred wells, fifty thousands date trees, and innumerable colored tents spread among them. (P. 87) The quotation above shows that Al-Fayoum is an oasis beyond Santiago’s imagination, the boy has seen oasis in a book but what he sees at the time is so much better and bigger than he has expected. It is even bigger than towns in Spain and has many inhabitants as seen from the colored tents.
…the camel driver explained to the boy that oases were always considered to be neutral territories, because the majority of the inhabitants were women and children. There were oases throughout the desert, but the tribesmen fought in the desert, leaving the oases as places of refuge. (P. 88)
Santiago learns that men at the desert tend to prefer fight rather than talk of peace. It is why the oasis is created because they bring their women and children to the desert and leave them to fight for the honor of the tribe. This way, they can return to oasis to take refuge during their fight.
They were surrounded by children, curious to look at the animals and people that were arriving. The men at the oasis wanted to know if they had seen any fighting, and the women competed with one another for access to the cloth and precious stones brought by the merchants. (P. 88) The quotation above gives us a small hint about the people who live at Al-
Fayoum. As mentioned, the children are curious not only about the people coming to the oasis but also about the animals. That is why they surround the people from the caravan coming to the oasis. Can also be seen how the men of the oasis are curious about the war tribe happens in the desert while the women of the oasis are anxious about the clothes and precious stones being brought by the merchants in the caravan. These people living in the oasis are isolated people because they are located in the middle of the desert which is far from everything, and new people are their only entertainment.