The Intersection of Destiny and Free Will in Paulo Coelho’s ‘Alchemist’: A Jungian Psychological Approach

Abstract

This paper analyzes The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho using the Jungian psychology approach in the connection between fate and free will in the story of Santiago. Based on the ideas of Jung that came to mind during his work in terms of the Self, archetypes, individuation, and synchronicity, the study holds the view that the novel forms the idea of destiny not as something external and predetermined, but as a psychological calling. The discussion is done through qualitative, interpretive textual analysis which reveals how the repeated dream and the concept on the Personal Legend imagined by Santiago can be interpreted as the teleological attraction of the Self to completeness. Certain people like Melchizedek and the alchemist are perceived as archetypes of Wise Old Man, and ordeals, bleak moments, fright etc are interpreted as having to confront the Shadow. It is also shown in the analysis that the move of Santiago is based on the conscious decisions that are risky which proves that free will is the active execution of the ego to cooperate with the Self instead of its denial. The article concludes that The Alchemist puts a spin on individuation as the place where destiny and free will meet, and it is implied that Jungian reading complements an already existing spiritual and motivational interpretations by placing the novel in a psychology model of inner evolution