Santiago's Self-Transformation and Cultural Manipulation in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist

Abstract

This study is basically concerned with colonialism and cultural manipulation in Coelho's The Alchemist through the main character Santiago who experiences cultural plurality and dominates native and indigenous people during his search of hidden treasure. Santiago uses religion, language, social organization, knowledge, system, technology, arts, symbol, value, belief, norms and tradition to manipulate the people and exercises the power. This study depicts Santiago is able to colonize the native and indigenous people through cultural manipulation process by using knowledge and intellectuality. Santiago's personal consideration leads him to achieve this success via different transformations. On the basis of the results of this thesis, it is concluded that Santiago got success to use his motives and skills to colonize the African natives culturally and got assistance from them in his dream of hidden treasure.