Ecocritical study on relationships between humans, nature, and god in the novel the Alchemist

Abstract

This research was inspired by an ecocritical study of the interaction between humans and nature in literary works. Man and nature were created by God so that man, nature, and God become three inseparable things. This paper aims to reveal the harmonious relationship between humans, nature and God in the novel The Alchemist. Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel The Alchemist has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, tells the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Data analysis applied the Miles and Huberman analysis technique starting with data reduction, then data presentation, and finally drawing conclusions. The results show that literary works such as The Alchemist can contribute to eliciting a new awareness in readers regarding the relationship between humans and nature and their relationship with God as the creator. The harmonious relationship between humans, nature and God is depicted in the novel as a positive state of inner peace, calmness, and balance, as well as the feeling of being in tune with nature. Nature and natural phenomena are signs sent by God to humans as a guide in navigating life. The implications of this study are that literary works such as The Alchemist can contain many simple life lessons combined with a very strong moral message.