Love : The Key to Happiness

By: Ulla Taylored

Love

flourishes throughout the universe
Cloaking itself in unique ways
Hiding in the shadows of our heats
But gleaming with excitement when one is present

Throughout “The Alchemist” Paulo Coelho emphasizes and merges the theme of love into the story in a very unique way. Paulo Coelho demonstrates in his novel how ‘Love’ is a part of ‘The soul of the World’, showing that ‘Love’ flows through everything that lives. As love, is one of the most powerful feelings in the universe, Santiago temptation gets the best of him as he falls in love with Fatima ‘his true love’ and almost abandons the quest for his destiny. ‘When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there’s no need at all to understand what’s happening, because everything happens within you.’ (Coelho 155) Paulo Coelho speaks through Santiago and shows that everyone is capable of finding true love, but not everyone will be able to find it. If you understand and have faith in your heart, love will flourish around you. Your heart is like a candle in the darkness, by listening to it you will succeed through life, but when ignoring it and ignoring the signs it is giving you, you will be alone in the darkness. Everyone will have the chance at love in their life, but to mold a friendship and a chance of true love is a task that can only be done by you. Your heart is the key to happiness, there is no need for money, or expensive jewelry. It is the thought and care you put into your bond that really matters.