Comparison Between Siddhartha and Al-Chemist

:
Every individual’s life is a journey. There are different stages in life that one
goes through and by experiencing these different stages of life one becomes
wiser. In the novel, Siddhartha and The Alchemist the protagonist
Siddhartha and Santiago both go through different stages in life which
made them grow, learn and transform into wiser people. Both protagonists
go on a journey which is eventually the same but the purpose of journey is
different. Similarly, both protagonist struggles through their journey to
become wiser people. However, the end result for both protagonists was
the same which is discovering themselves.
In their early teenage lives, both Hermann Hesse and Paulo Coelho
struggled to cope with their parent’s conflicting outlook on their lives and
ultimately, their purpose. For separate reasons, Hesse and Coelho spent
time in institutions designed to “reinvent” the individual. The authors
endured many months in this compulsory prison yet after release, proved
their individuality and perseverance was more than a product of teen
angst– they pursued their aspirations. Moreover, Hesse and Coelho’s
persistence through a childhood polluted by parental control yet followed
by complete success, demonstrates not only the genuine existence of
destiny, but also the continuous opportunity to achieve happiness and
greatness. Exemplified by the stories of their lives, Hesse and Coelho
channel this idea in their works Siddhartha and The Alchemist. Using the
wisdom the protagonists obtained from personal journeys, both Hesse and
Coelho convey the importance of sacrificing love and common human
pleasures to become entirely fulfilled. However, only Coelho advocates an
ultimate return to such pleasures suggesting that love and possessions are
essential in a truly authentic life.
Comparison:
Santiago's Call his reoccurring dream of going to the pyramids and finding
treasure
Siddhartha's Call he was not satisfied; he wanted more out of life
Santiago's Refusal doesn't fully accept the dream until he talks to the king
of salem
Santiagos Threshold gate going into africa
Siddhartha's Threshold entering the forrest to join the samanas
Santiago's Guardians king of salem (had to give up 1/10 of sheep), crystal
merchant (finding life in the desert)
Siddhartha's Guardian his father (proved he was ready by standing showing
his dedication)
Santiago's Challenges being robbed, turning into the wind, beaten up at the
pyramids
Santiago's Temptation fatima (love)
Santiago's Abyss transforming himself into the wind or he will be killed,
fear of turning into the wind
Santiago's Transformation turning into the wind
Santiago's Revelation seeing that the soul of god is a part of him; sees that
he is apart of the soul of the world
Santiago's Gift fatima, achievement of personal legend, treasure
Siddhartha's Challenges finding nirvana, leaving kamala/her death, leaving
govinda with the buddha, got caught up in samsara, losing his son
Siddhartha's Temptation kamala, samsara (material world; money), love of
his son, govinda
Siddhartha's Abyss contemplates ending his life (suicide)
Siddhartha's Revelation realizing that everything in the world is connected
Siddhartha's Gift enlightenment, govinda
Characterized as the protagonists’ greatest loves, Kamala and Fatima
symbolize the natural temptation to settle for love instead of pursuing one’s
fated desires; however, Siddhartha and Santiago’s resistance of such
temptation illustrates the presence of greater human strength designed for
the benefit of the individual. After abandoning his practice as a Samana,
living through an ascetic lens among nature, Siddhartha met his love
Kamala in a residential town. This captivating love brought with it a natural
comfort, weakening Siddhartha, and for years he allowed himself to
succumb to the lure of riches and superior social status. Similar to
Siddhartha, Santiago too became distracted in the midst of his journey after
meeting young Fatima and entranced by her beauty and grace, Santiago
conveys his willingness to settle with his love in a small oasis in the Sahara,
“ ‘I want to stay at the oasis,’ the boy answered. ‘I’ve found Fatima, and as
far as I’m concerned she’s worth more than treasure’ ” (118, The Alchemist).
Displaying obvious determination throughout the months of tedious travel,
Santiago’s sudden change of heart illustrates the consuming nature of
unconditional love and its ability to alter the mindset of even the most
indomitable individuals.
Siddhartha's Transformation becomes the ferryman;
enlightened man on the river:

Siddhartha is a respected member of his society right from the beginning,

due to being a son of a Brahman and an attractive and intelligent young
man, while Santiago gained respect from his journey to achieve his dreams.
In addition, Siddhartha goes about his journey with aggressive questioning
of everything that occurs. Santiago continues his quest peacefully and takes
in everything that occurs along the way with curiosity, but never aggression.
Right away, Siddhartha gains his credibility from his respected
characterization, while Santiago gains his through the experiences he faces
along his journey.
They both are disturbed by constant dreams that seem to haunt them every
day about their life quests. As a result, the two main characters always
questioned the idea of “a universal one,” in which they both try to seek.
Santiago achieves the concept of being one with the universe at the end of
his journey by listening to the sounds of the world around him. Siddhartha
points out the fact that the teachings from the elders in his village and from
his father are not enough for him to learn how to achieve the concept of
one. In consequence, he decides to embark on this wandering with different
groups in order to experience life himself, in which he hopes to finally
achieve the idea of being one with the universe.
The preeminent factor in a study of Hesse's Hindu protagonist is his growth
from the impatience and impetuosity of youth and young adulthood to the
fulfilled wisdom of age. Despite the fact that Siddhartha leaves his father,
the influence of his Brahmin upbringing stays with him, for the goal of his
life is the attainment of Nirvana. It is merely the means to the end with
which he disagrees with his father and also with the Samanas, Gotama
Buddha, and the Buddha-follower Govinda. The growth pattern of
Siddhartha's entire life consists of several phases of conditioning which are
necessary to attain a perfect unity with the Absolute. Siddhartha must
experience Brahman spontaneously and without artificial preparation in
order to transcend time and gain Nirvana
Unlike Govinda , Siddhartha stresses independence and individuality in
order to find oneself. Just as Santiago left his flock of sheep behind to find
the treasure, Siddhartha leaves his father and the Brahmans behind in
order to experience the world to achieve nirvana. In addition, Siddhartha
constantly questions the core of his soul and his heart. Coelho often stresses
the importance of listeing to one's own heart as well.
So, the idea of being one with the universe and the journey are two concepts
that occur in both “Siddhartha” and “The Alchemist”
Basically, in “The Alchemist,” one learns how to attain wisdom and
knowledge to achieve one’s dream if one has no influences. “Siddhartha” is
like the reverse of how to achieve one’s dream if one is too influenced by
one’s society.
In both novels, there are obvious references to the heart and its role in
achieving one’s Personal Legend. The cliché that if one does not have his
heart in it, then one will not be successful at it works here!
Herman Hesse structured his novel in order to convey how a man of
wealthy intelligence has to strip layers of himself in order to become closer
to himself and to the natural universe that surrounds him.
Furthermore, the authors suggest that only those who possess strength and
wisdom will understand the value of sacrifice and actually reach their
highest potential. Hesse and Coelho both clarify this idea through the lives
of their protagonists exemplifying the rarity of a person strong enough to
overcome the lure of wealth, love, and comfort. Unfortunately, life’s
powerful distractions can delay, or even prevent, true fate leading to
resentment and pure sadness later on. Both having realized their dreams,
Hesse and Coelho demonstrate how having faith in one’s destiny is more
rewarding than all other aspects of human existence.