The Alchemist Prologue

Open Ended

Look at the cover of the book. What can you predict about this text?

Open Ended

What is your definition of an Alchemist?

Open Ended

What is your definition of the Philosopher's Stone?

Open Ended

What is your definition of the Elixir of Life?

Open Ended

What can you predict about the Alchemist based on these terms?

Multiple Choice

Why was Echo cursed to only repeat what others said?

• She was cursed by another wood nymph out of jealousy.

• She was cursed by Narcissus for being too clingy.

• She was cursed by Hera for hiding her husband's cheating.

Multiple Choice

What was the ultimate fate of Narcissus?

• He withered away in a cave

• He withered away next to a lake and was turned into a flower.

• He married Hera

• He died an old man, alone and sad.

Multiple Choice

What is the ultimate lesson of the story of Narcissus?

• vanity can be our undoing.

• if you love something, never let it go.

• being honest is the first step to love.

• be true to yourself regardless of the consequences.

Open Ended

What is different between the story in the Prologue and the story of Narcissus in Greek myth?

Open Ended

What lesson are we supposed to draw from this new retelling?

Open Ended

What can we guess will be a central theme or idea in The Alchemist novel?

Let's Review...

Multiple Choice

What is NOT an element of Magical Realism?

• Critique of politics or society

• Detailed explanations of magical elements

• Supernatural Elements

• Realistic Settings

Multiple Choice

What does the people's treatment of the angel in "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" suggest about human nature?

• Humans are inherently kind and respectful

• Humans are naturally curious about the unknown

• Humans tend to exploit and commodify the extraordinary

• Humans always recognize and revere the divine

Multiple Choice

What is another name for the Hero's Journey?

• monomyth

• cycle of life

• prologue

• fable