Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on The Odyssey and The Alchemist: Free Will, Determinism, and the Journeys. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page paper which compares and contrasts The Odyssey by Homer and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The first portion of the paper examines free will and determinism and the second portion of the paper examines the journeys. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JR7_RAodyach.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Paulo Coelho there are elements of free will as well as elements of determinism that seem to simply lead the primary character from one event or encounter to another. In
both stories one could well say that there are subtle examples, and obvious examples of both. With Odysseus he is clearly a man, in the beginning, who has no
control over his life at all and this is a clear example of determinism. Through his time in the Trojan War and then his beginning journey home he was all
but pushed into a position where he was held captive on an island. This lack of free will is clearly associated with the gods and goddesses in Homers world and
their interference is primarily what makes every deterministic element of the story exist. In The Alchemist the main character, Santiago, is essentially seeking a way to avoid all aspects
of determinism. This is seen early on in the story when he is discussing books with an old man and the man tells him that a particular book is not
worth reading because it tells the greatest lie; that people fall victim to fate and thus their lives are ultimately controlled by fate. The boy tells him that this is
not something he will believe as he has already made a choice to be a shepherd and not a priest which is what was determined for him. But, even in
this there seems a sort of determinism wherein his travels are leading him to a place of discovery. It is not fate but it is clearly determinism as one event
or encounter leads him to another that will lead him to a destiny of self discovery. Both stories also clearly have the individual demonstrating free will for they both
...