No one follows their dreams; In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, it is emphasized that everyone has a designated personal legend. In this reading, he demonstrates "people's inability to choose their own personal legends" inflicted by the world's greatest lie, "our lives are controlled by destiny." Coelho's writing is composed of Santiago, a boy whose legend was ignited by a dream, and whom he now tries to reach. The Alchemist shows how important it is for people to discover and fulfill their personal legends. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Not everyone follows their legends, only a select few do, at the beginning of the novel it is shown who has the desire to fulfill their dream. dream. The crystal merchant didn't have the heart, he said “you know I'm not going to go to Mecca”. Santiago had the youth and the desire to follow his legend and he was told: “you know you won't buy your sheep”. Even if an individual doesn't follow their legend, that doesn't mean they don't have one. In The Alchemist, Coelho states that "everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is", only a privileged few have the will to really take the plunge. Evidence for this inference can be presented by the Englishman and others trying to understand the legendary Emerald Tablet. They all realized that their legend is to obtain the philosopher's stone, but only the English actually try to make this legend come true. From what the reader sees, the Englishman is the only person who desires the philosopher's stone, who has the heart and the will to throw himself fully into his legend. All people have the potential to achieve their personal legend, those who have the desire and work hard enough to achieve their dreams. We can infer from The Alchemist that Santiago has the right personality and ambition to find his treasure. A representation of his personality is when he meets Fatima, Coelho says, "the soul of the world arose within him", this reveals how Santiago knows the language of the world and how love is closely linked to it. He is described as determined and curious about the world, his dream ignites his desire to find his treasure and learn more about the world. He's one of those people built for their legends, unlike many others who are too precious to risk their legends. In the text, many people do not follow their legends, the baker and the crystal merchant know their legend, their destiny, but choose not to follow it. When an individual completes their legend, their situation improves, not only through treasure, but also through experience. Santiago was lucky enough to find Fatima, to learn about omens and about love. Following dreams improves life even if the dream doesn't actually come true. The people met, the lessons learned and the experience are what make the journey worth it and that's why it's important to follow the legends..