English I (Pre-AP): Alchemist Theme Quickwrite

In class we discussed how theme revealed itself in The Alchemist through the use of TILL statements (This Is Like Life because...).

In a Quickwrite, please explore how the lessons Santiago learned about the need for and difficulties in pursing his personal legend are similar to your experiences.

Areas to explore include the need to fully explore your dream or shift it if you've dreamt too small, the betrayal of "friends," and the dangers of becoming comfortable while pursuing something other than your destiny.

English I (Pre-AP): Open-Ended Question

If you didn't complete your open-ended response in class today, please do so now (replace the partial response with your completed response once your response is complete):

Which "lie" mentioned in the introduction of The Alchemist did the crystal merchant believe, and in doing so, prevented him from realizing his personal legend (i.e., stopped him from making his pilgrimage to Mecca)? Support your response with evidence from the text.

10 lines maximum.

English I (Pre-AP): Short-Response Questions (Crystal Merchant)

In class we wrote answers to the following short-response question.

Which of the four obstacles to realizing his dream (lies) did the Crystal Merchant believe? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Maximum length 10 lines.

All Pre-AP Students: Reading Assignment for the Week

Pre-AP English II: Read Fahrenheit 451 through the end of the first section ("The Hearth and the Salamander"). (You left off around page 40.)

English I (Pre-AP): Read The Alchemist through page 79. (You left off around page 51.)

Pre-AP English I: The Four Obstacles to Achieving Your Dream

In class today, many of us looked at the central idea of the introduction to The Alchemist. If you missed the opportunity to critique Coelho's claim, here's your chance to make up the assignment.

Coelho claims that there are four things that prevent people from achieving their dreams (aka "personal legend"):

1. Being told the dream is impossible
2. Fear of abandoning those who love them in order to achieve their dream
3. Fear of difficult obstacles/set-backs along the way
4. Fear of success

After analyzing Coelho's claims, write 2-3 sentences to take a stance in agreement or disagreement with what he says. Be sure to embed quoted evidence from the introduction to support your argument on way or the other. (Do not debate the existence of one's personal legend or Coelho's claim that God gives everyone a personal legend to pursue; focus only on the four obstacles.)