Literature
The Odyssey
In The Odyssey by Homer, reverse alchemy is seen throughout the book. Odysseus begins his journey home as being a war hero and a very wise man. Throughout the book, as Odysseus continues his journey home, we see him gradually transform into a worse human. He makes many mistakes which makes his crew think less of him. By the end of the book, he is nothing because he is transformed into a poor street hag. Then, again we see alchemy as Odysseus turns into the great king of Ithaca again as he wins the arrow task. Alchemy is seen in this book, as Odysseus turns from a war hero into a mistake filled leader into a hag. Then we see alchemy again as Odysseus turns from a street hag into the king of Ithaca.
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image 12
Siddhartha
In this novel we see Siddhartha trying to find an internal state of piece. He is not happy with a lavish life as a prince. By the end of the novel, Siddhartha becomes happy with a simple life. Sometimes simple things make one happier than more complex things like palaces and money.
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image 13
Old Man and the Sea
In this novel we see alchemy because the character of Santiago is said to be old and not have what it takes to catch great fish anymore. With only determination, Santiago sets out on a mission and comes back with a marlin skeleton. He was not as young or healthy as the other fishermen but with such a simple thing like determination Santiago was able to become so successful. He turned from nothing into something so great in the eyes of the other fishermen after this feat, like alchemy.
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image 14
The Alchemist
In the Alchemist we see a young man named Santiago venture away from his home in order to find treasure. On his journey, Santiago loses a lot and believes only with him discovering the treasure will he become successful and happy. By the end of the novel, Santiago realizes that such simple things which are inside all people can help one reach happiness. SImple traits inside everyone make such a big thing like happiness.
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image 15
Grapes of Wrath
In this novel, we see the Joad family leave Oklahoma with just about nothing but each other. These migrant families had just about nothing and were expected to survive in a foreign land of California where the people were unwelcoming and the competition was fierce. Though they had nothing or just the bare minimum to survive, the Joad family was able to overcome many tough situations.
Throughout this novel the synergic aspect of alchemy is scene. Steinbeck constantly stresses upon the point how if the migrants combine and unify, they have a greater chance to succeed.
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Throughout this novel the synergic aspect of alchemy is scene. Steinbeck constantly stresses upon the point how if the migrants combine and unify, they have a greater chance to succeed.
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Hatchet
This novel focuses around the struggle a teenage boy named Brian faces when he accidentally gets stranded on an island alone. He survives by using his simple instincts and a hatchet. This simple tool helped Brian overcome many of his problems. In this novel, it is clearly visible how a simple tool can make such a big difference.
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image 17
Harry Potter
The seven part Harry Potter series are a fantasy genre series written by the rags to riches British author J. K. Rowling. The books have to do with the seven year journey of a maturing adolescent wizard named Harry potter. Harry is one of the three main characters in this film with his two best friends Ron Weasley, a cowardly ginger boy, and Hermione Granger, a stuck up know-it-all. All of these friends go to the best wizarding school, Hogwarts, where they learn to fight dark magic and become knowledgeable wizards. The general or whole based plot of this series revolves around Harry's quest to internally and physically overcome the worst and evilest dark wizard who is again gaining power throughout the magical world, Lord Voldemort. Throughout the seven books, Voldemort tries to come back from the almost dead through his horcroxus and take over the wizarding world and subjugate non-magical people. Harry is on a mission to stop this evil magic and throughout the books, we see him grow from an orphan with absolutely no knowledge of the magical arts into the chosen one who kills the greatest dark wizard. He alchemically transforms himself from a nobody wizard living with muggles into the greatest orah the wizarding world has ever seen.
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Interview with New York times writer Natalie Angier
Below are some highligeted sections of the vocal interview conducted with New York Times writer Natalie angier.
-Why did you choose to write about Alchemy?
I was interested in newton and the thought that he was an alchemist. I associate him with being a genious who discovered Calculus and physics. the idea he could be interested in alchemy always seemed of a common disappint. i was interested of the history of alchemy.
Newton being more interested me because alchemy sems off the track of the other suff he was doing.
i assumed it to be a divergent from his other passions.
-does the principle behind alchemy relate to you being a new york times writer?
Alchemy is transforming the ordinary into ecraordinar, metaphorical.
with isaac newton it relates to one chemical condition into another. creating new materials out of existing.
Their is alchemy even today in chemstry labs where transformations are occuring. Our modern day scientists are true alchemists.
-would you consider yourself an alchemist, being a writer?
I do, being pompous, taking writings and the ay you find deeper meeting and expres yor thoughts throughout your writing is a form of alchemy. i am more than just atranscriber but i am transstating material into such context that the new way it ahs been presented has graeter value than it once did.
-Why did you choose to write about Alchemy?
I was interested in newton and the thought that he was an alchemist. I associate him with being a genious who discovered Calculus and physics. the idea he could be interested in alchemy always seemed of a common disappint. i was interested of the history of alchemy.
Newton being more interested me because alchemy sems off the track of the other suff he was doing.
i assumed it to be a divergent from his other passions.
-does the principle behind alchemy relate to you being a new york times writer?
Alchemy is transforming the ordinary into ecraordinar, metaphorical.
with isaac newton it relates to one chemical condition into another. creating new materials out of existing.
Their is alchemy even today in chemstry labs where transformations are occuring. Our modern day scientists are true alchemists.
-would you consider yourself an alchemist, being a writer?
I do, being pompous, taking writings and the ay you find deeper meeting and expres yor thoughts throughout your writing is a form of alchemy. i am more than just atranscriber but i am transstating material into such context that the new way it ahs been presented has graeter value than it once did.
