santiago’s psyche and self-defense mechanism …

SANTIAGO’S PSYCHE AND SELF-DEFENSE MECHANISM

DEVELOPMENT IN PAULO COELHO’S THE ALCHEMIST

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

NICHOLAS PRAMUDYA ARDHANA ISWARA

Student Number: 134214105

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2018

PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI

ii

SANTIAGO’S PSYCHE AND SELF-DEFENSE MECHANISM

DEVELOPMENT IN PAULO COELHO’S THE ALCHEMIST

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

NICHOLAS PRAMUDYA ARDHANA ISWARA

Student Number: 134214105

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA

2018


vii

AD MAIOREM

DEI GLORIAM


viii


ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to thank Jesus Christ, for His never ending blessing

and guidance throughout the whole life.

I would like to show my gratitude for my advisor, Dra. Theresia Enny

Anggraini M.A., Ph.D., for the precious advices and guidance throughout this thesis

making processes. Also, to all the lecturers in English Department, I would like to

thank you for sharing the knowledge and experiences during my study. To the

secretariat officers, thank you for helping with all the administration processes.

To all friends from John de Britto batch 2013, especially for Dibi, Jati, Arief,

Prabu, Joko, Bodro, Gilang, Arga, Yayan, Boris, Ganang, Ardian, Misel, Bimo,

Bambeng, and Elang. I thank you for providing a comfortable place to learn and

study. Without dynamic situations, emotions, and conversations throughout the

experiences, I would not be like this. Also, to friends from English Letters

Department in Sanata Dharma Univesity, I thank you for the colorful friendship.

Especially Satya, Wisnu, Malolo, Halim, Kevin, Gerald, Hepie, Lintang, Dina,

Ninda, Awi, Dea, Hadrian, Alex, Brandon, Denis, Binsar, Inno, Kaka, Dwigo,

Satrio, Putra, Asmara, Noven, Gatot, Septiadi, Dryan, Toto, Ikhsan, Tiok, Mbak

Rani, Mbak Dian, Mas Wowok, Mas Britto, Dab Samson, Dab Titus, Dab Kenan,

Dab Haryo, Dab Samsul, Mas Ginting, Mas Muji, and Mbak Widi for the awesome

discussions. Last but not least, to my dearest friend, Yosephine Ade Gustina, to

whom I specially dedicate this thesis. Thank you for being there.

Nicholas Pramudya Ardhana Iswara


x

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ........................................................................................................ ii

APPROVAL PAGE ............................................................................................. iii

ACCEPTANCE PAGE ........................................................................................ iv

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY .................................................................... v

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS .............................................................. vi

MOTTO PAGE ................................................................................................... vii

DEDICATION PAGE ........................................................................................ viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................. ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................... x

ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................... xii

ABSTRAK ............................................................................................................ xiii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1

A. Background of the Study .............................................................................. 1

B. Problem Formulation ................................................................................... 4

C. Objectives of the Study ................................................................................ 5

D. Definition of Terms ...................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................... 7

A. Review of Related Studies ........................................................................... 7

B. Review of Related Theories ......................................................................... 9

1. Theory of Characters and Characterization .............................................. 9

2. Theory of Psychoanalysis ....................................................................... 11

3. Theory of Personality ............................................................................. 13

4. Theory of Self-defense Mechanism ....................................................... 15

a. Denial .................................................................................................. 16

b. Projection ............................................................................................ 17

c. Identification ....................................................................................... 17

C. Theoretical Framework .............................................................................. 18

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY .................................................................. 20

A. Object of the Study..................................................................................... 20

B. Approach of the Study ............................................................................... 21

C. Method of the Study ................................................................................... 22

CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS ............................................................................... 24

A. Characteristics and Personality of the Major Character: Santiago............. 25

1. Character Traits by Telling ..................................................................... 25

a. Personal Description: Adventurous .................................................... 26

b. Past Life: Curious ............................................................................... 27

2. Character Traits by Showing .................................................................. 28

a. Character as seen by another: Valiant................................................. 28


xi

b. Speech: Inquisitive .............................................................................. 30

c. Reactions: Regretful ........................................................................... 34

d. Thoughts: Conservative ...................................................................... 36

3. Personality Changes in Santiago ............................................................ 43

B. Self-defense Mechanism Development of Santiago .................................. 44

1. Denial ..................................................................................................... 45

2. Projection ................................................................................................ 49

3. Identification .......................................................................................... 55

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION .......................................................................... 60

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 64


xii

ABSTRACT

ISWARA, NICHOLAS PRAMUDYA ARDHANA. Santiago’s Psyche and Self-

defense Mechanism Development in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist.

Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma

University, 2018

A person’s life is full of developmental processes. Rooted in the human

mind, these processes play significant roles to change the personality of an

individual. A person’s personality is often judged by others when it comes to their

characteristics. Other people will judge someone’s personality as is seen in their

actions. The action shows the person’s way of thinking. It shows how people’s

minds are working. Thus, analyzing characteristic traits of others might reveal the

meaning of analyzing the minds of others. The order of how those three parts above

is related to one other is as follows: the actions represent people’s characteristic

traits, and they show a person’s personality defined by their mind’s construction.

People’s reaction toward some aspects that affect their life are seen through their

mind’s construction. In other words, their mind’s construction reveals what kind of

self-defense mechanism that is used when it is needed. Thus, when people develop

through their growth stages, they will use different self-defense mechanism to repel

any anxiety encountered. This process shows that one’s self-defense mechanism

undergo some kind of dynamic development and this will be the context of this

thesis. To illustrate this developmental process, this thesis will be focused on a

character of a novel.

There are two problem formulations in this thesis. The first problem is how

Santiago’s character traits and personality changes are being described. The second

is how the self-defense mechanism on Santiago developed throughout his

personality changes.

The theories applied in conducting the analysis are theory of character and

characterization, theory of psychoanalysis, theory of personality, and theory of self-

defense mechanism. The method used is a library research with primary and

secondary source. The primary source of this study is the novel written by Paulo

Coelho, The Alchemist. The secondary sources are taken from essays, journals,

dictionary, internet, and some other books.

The result of this thesis show that Santiago have adventurous, curious,

valiant, inquisitive, regretful, and conservative character traits. Santiago’s

personality changes are from careless into intuitive, brave, and calm. First, he shows

the use of Denial self-defense mechanism in order to avoid any regretful feeling.

Second, he uses Projection self-defense mechanism in order to prevent any pain or

oppression feeling as he has nothing to regret anymore. Third, he uses Identification

self-defense mechanism in order to improve his personality as to maintain his ego

development.


xiii

ABSTRAK

ISWARA, NICHOLAS PRAMUDYA ARDHANA. Santiago’s Psyche and Self-

defense Mechanism Development in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist.

Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma

University, 2018

Hidup setiap orang penuh dengan suatu proses perkembangan. Di dalam

proses pembentukan perkembangan pikiran, dimungkinkan adanya perkembangan

kepribadian seseorang. Hal ini dikarenakan pikiran, kepribadian, dan sifat dari

seseorang saling berkaitan. Sifat seseorang akan menunjukkan kepribadiannya.

Individu lain akan menilai sifat berdasarkan pada tingkah laku individu tersebut.

Sebab tingkah laku mencerminkan hal yang sedang dipikirkan. Dengan demikian,

menganalisa sifat seseorang memungkinkan kita untuk menganalisa pikirannya.

Sebagaimana urutan ketiga hal diatas saling berkaitan, tingkah laku mencerminkan

sifat, lalu sifat itu menunjukkan kepribadian. Reaksi seseorang terhadap suatu hal

yang mempengaruhi dirinya dapat menunjukkan jalan pikirannya. Dengan kata lain,

dapat disampaikan bahwa jalan pikiran seseorang dapat menunjukkan jenis

mekanisme pertahanan diri yang mereka gunakan apabila diperlukan. Selebihnya,

mekanisme pertahanan diri tersebut digunakan sesuai dengan kegelisahan yang

dirasakan seiring individu tersebut bertumbuh. Maka, dapat disimpulkan bahwa

mekanisme pertahanan diri yang digunakan oleh seseorang juga akan berkembang.

Untuk menggambarkan proses perkembangan tersebut, penelitian ini

menitikberatkan focus kepada tokoh dalam sebuah novel.

Terdapat dua rumusan masalah dalam skripsi ini. Pertama adalah bagaimana

penokohan Santiago menggambarkan sifat dan perubahan kepribadiannya. Kedua

adalah bagaimana mekanisme pertahanan diri Santiago berkembang yang terlihat

dari perubahan kepribadiannya.

Teori yang digunakan dalam menganalisis skripsi ini adalah teori

penokohan, teori psikoanalisis, teori kepribadian, dan teori mekanisme pertahanan

diri. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode studi pustaka dengan dua sumber.

Sumber primer yang digunakan adalah novel oleh Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.

Sumber sekunder yang digunakan diambil dari esai, jurnal, kamus, internet, dan

beberapa buku lain.

Kesimpulan menunjukkan Santiago memiliki sifat petualang, ingin tahu,

berani mengambil resiko, selalu penasaran, penuh sesal, dan memiliki kepekaan

tinggi. Santiago mengalami perubahan kepribadian dari ceroboh menjadi berintuisi,

berani, dan tenang. Perkembangan mekanisme pertahanan diri pada Santiago:

pertama, Santaigo menggunakan mekanisme penyangkalan dengan tujuan

menghindari rasa penyesalan. Kedua, dia menggunakan mekanisme proyeksi

dengan tujaun menghalau adanya kegelisahan atau rasa tertekan setelah tidak

menyesali apapun. Ketiga, dia menggunakan mekanisme Identifikasi dengan tujuan

untuk membenahi kepribadian juga untuk mempertahankan perkembangan ‘ego’.


1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

A person’s life is full of developmental processes, including physical, social

and mental changes. Rooted in the human mind, these processes play significant

roles to change the personality of an individual. They influence all aspects of daily

activities. In the mind, this developmental process includes the use of self-defense

mechanisms in its operation as people may encounter some threats in his/her daily

experiences. As it is stated by Phebe Cramer in her book titled, The Development

of Self-defense Mechanisms: Theory, Research, and Assessment (1991), the

conception of self-defense mechanisms is a normal developmental process since it

is the result of ego development regarding an individual mind’s growth, and ego, in

their life (6).

In the process of the mind’s structural development, a person’s personality

also goes through some development. It is because the mind, the personality, and

the characteristic traits of a person are in close relation to one other (Cramer, 2006:

22). A person’s personality is often judged by others when it comes to their

characteristics. Other people will judge someone’s personality as is seen in their

actions. Based on research done in Cramer’s book, the action shows the person’s

way of thinking. It shows how people’s minds are working. Thus, it might be

concluded that analyzing characteristic traits of others might reveal the meaning of

analyzing the minds of others. The order of how those three parts above is related


2

to one other is as follows: the actions represent people’s characteristic traits, and

they show a person’s personality that is defined by their mind’s construction.

People’s reactions toward some aspects that affect their life are seen through their

mind’s construction. In other words, their mind’s construction reveals what kind of

self-defense mechanism that is used when it is needed. Thus, when people develop

through their growth stages, they will use different self-defense mechanisms to

repel any anxiety encountered. This process shows that one’s self-defense

mechanisms undergo some kind of dynamic development and this will be the

context of this study. To illustrate this developmental process, this research will be

focused on a character of a novel.

In a literary work, the characteristic traits help the character develop its

personality. The personality of a character might be revealed after the characteristic

details are given, since it is different from characterization. The way it is seen is by

observing the interaction process of the character with the outside world. This

interaction might be shown in how the character makes a decision, interacts with

other people, and also how they interact with their world. All of these three ways

are related to the character’s way of thinking and might be seen in their

characteristic traits. Therefore, in order to analyze a character’s personality in a

novel, the analysis of this study is conducted using the Psychoanalytic approach

since it is often used in human cases in literary analysis.

While people in real life experience threats from the outer world, it also

applies to literary characters. In a novel, there is an outer world provided mostly for

the main character to improve themselves as a dynamic individual. Related to


3

human reactions toward threats, it brings out some kind of mechanism

manifestation often called self-defense mechanism. This mechanism is one of the

only ways to protect people from threats automatically in order to survive, which is

a basic instinct of human culture. Characters, in a novel, are usually depicted from

this reality. Thus, the Psychoanalytic approach, which is mentioned above, has

often been used to analyze self-defense mechanisms and so will be mainly used in

this study.

Santiago’s character in the novel titled, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho,

develops into a dynamic personality, between the start and the end of the story. In

other words, the difference of personality can be noted as his personality changes.

The changes in his personality are depicted by the developmental process of the

main character, pursuing a treasure of his dream which makes him encounter many

problem solving cases, which can be considered as threats. As these threats come

from both his own thoughts and also from his surroundings, Santiago developed

self-defense mechanisms. Thus, this study used The Alchemist as the object to

analyze.

As mentioned above, the novel The Alchemist tells a story to the reader

about Santiago, a shepherd from the Andalusian land, who pursues his “destiny”.

This “destiny” is described as a dream in the novel, an unconscious desire that leads

Santiago into a great journey which had many obstacles he has to overcome. His

great journey is the object of this research. During his great journey, Santiago’s

character changes, and this means that Santiago is depicted as a dynamic character.

A dynamic character is a character whose personality is developing through time.


4

From Santiago’s character changes, the researcher identifies a development

specifically of his self-defense mechanism. In terms of self-defense mechanism, it

is related to the mentality of the character (the psyche) and is also related to its

personality along with the characteristic traits. As it is explained previously, the

connection between the mental aspects of the character and the author’s thoughts

occurs in the process of giving description about the character. This descriptive

process by the author is involving his or her thoughts at that very moment. In order

to reveal the self-defense mechanisms adopted by Santiago through his adventure,

the main subject matter of this research, the author holds an important role as data

supplier of the characterization process which is the root process needed for this

study to make a conclusion. To reach the objectives of this research, the main focus

of this study will be the self-defense mechanism development of Santiago and not

his characteristic traits.

B. Problem Formulation

The focus of the study is on the process of self-defense mechanism

development. In other words, the researcher aims to see how the process of self-

defense mechanism development happens in the dynamic character of Santiago in

the novel titled, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

The research questions:

1. How are the characteristics and personality of Santiago described by

the author?

2. How does the self-defense mechanism on Santiago develop throughout

his personality changes?


5

C. Objectives of the Study

In this study, the researcher aims to uncover the unconscious state of

Santiago as the main character of the novel, The Alchemist. This goal is achieved

by firstly trying to identify the personality and character traits of Santiago that are

described throughout the novel in several critical points according to the plot.

Furthermore, considering the main character of The Alchemist is a dynamic

character, the writer intends to reveal the personality of the main character by

identifying the characteristic traits of the main character. After that, the researcher

will identify the development of the self-defense mechanisms used by Santiago.

Therefore, the whole objective to be achieved in this research is revealing the self-

defense mechanism development in the main character of Santiago. This goal is

done by analyzing the personality development based on the main character’s

psychological changes through the plot of the story and connecting the result with

the identified self-defense mechanism characteristics in order to achieve the final

conclusion, the proof of this research.

D. Definition of Terms

This research applies the psychoanalytic approach in revealing the problem

formulations. Thus, there are some terms that are used such as Psyche and Self-

defense Mechanism. The following definitions are the explanation of these key

terms that are used in this research.

Psyche is defined as the soul, mind, or personality of a person or group

(Merriam Webster Online Dictionary, 2017). From this definition, psyche is


6

sometimes called as personality which also means psyche and personality are

similar. For this research, psyche is meant to be the concept that Sigmund Freud

invented to differentiate the conscious and unconscious mind. Further, from the

above definition, psyche in this research is defined as the soul, mind of a person or

group which is divided into two parts of the mind, the conscious and unconscious.

These two parts have their own sub-parts which for the conscious mind there is the

ego, whereas the unconscious mind is divided into two aspects, the superego and

id. Ego plays the central role as the realistic part of the mind which mediates the

subconscious drives of the superego and id. The Superego itself plays the role as

the moral conscience of the society while the id acts as pure human desires.

Self-defense Mechanism is the act of defending yourself, your property, etc.,

which involves skills that make you capable of protecting yourself against threats

(Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2017). According to Phebe Cramer in her works,

Protecting the Self: Defense Mechanism in Action, Self-defense Mechanism is

defined as, “Unconscious mental mechanisms that are directed against both internal

drive pressures and external pressures, especially those that threaten self-esteem or

the structure of the self, as might occur when friends or family fail to be emphatic

or in some other way are “lost” to the individual. The function of the self-defense

mechanism is twofold: to protect the individual from experiencing excessive

anxiety, and to protect the integration of the self” (Cramer, 1991: 7). As a

psychological developmental process, people will develop this mechanism due to

oppression, or threats experienced. This mechanism will help people to adapt with

their society that can pose dangerous risk.


7

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Studies

This research is about the self-defense mechanism development in The

Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Thus the researcher decided to choose the main points

which are applications of the theory of self-defense mechanism and Santiago in

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist to be discussed in this part. The reason for this

decision is to help this research to be better developed and still be limited with the

chosen topic.

Studies about self-defense mechanisms in literature is popular among

students in the English Letters Department. One research example that analyzes

self-defense mechanisms in literature is Yoseph Oediphus Abel’s thesis (2016). In

his research he analyzed the self-defense mechanisms that happened in the main

character of Sherlock Holmes in The Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur

Conan Doyle.

In his study, the object to be analyzed was only the character of Sherlock

Holmes himself. The concern that he brought to his research was that the self-

defense mechanisms which were revealed in the character of Sherlock Holmes

occurred in some specific conditions. Thus, his research did not explain how the

self-defense mechanism developed. Rather than explaining the development, Abel

just stated what Self-defense Mechanisms that Holmes’ used and in what conditions


8

he used the Self-defense Mechanisms. In his thesis research, Abel explained briefly

his concerns.

Since it is human nature that someone needs other human beings to live, it

is quite impossible for humans to go against their nature so they do some

self-defense mechanisms their feelings. It can be because they are shy or

maybe it is because of the demands of their job. The feelings that are

repressed also can be anything. For examples, hatred, love or hobby.

Besides human nature, society also has some norms that might prevent

someone from expressing something that they want. The norms in the

society also can make someone do a self-defense mechanism to their

feelings (Oediphus, 2016: 2).

In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, there are so many aspects that can be

studied. Octovida Wijayanti (2007) is one of many researchers that chose The

Alchemist as their main source to conduct a study. In her study, Wijayanti studied

the influence of the setting toward Santiago’s characteristics. Thereby, she showed

setting is important in giving influence to the characteristics of the character

because environment, such as a society’s moral value, determines the development

of the character (Wijayanti, 2007: 1).

Instead of analyzing the setting of the story which influences self-change,

the researcher aimed to know more about the personality changes of the main

character, Santiago, throughout his journey. In other words, the aspect being

discussed in this study is the dynamic personality changes which influences the

development of self-defense mechanism. It can be said also that this study is like

the continuation of Octovida Wijayanti’s study on main character changes with

different variables. While Wijayanti included setting, self-changes, setting of place,

setting of time, social setting, and development as the variables, the researcher

includes personality, self-changes, reaction toward oppression, development, and


9

social condition. Actually while there are similarities between them, still the two

studies are fundamentally different because of the research purposes. The

contribution from this study is giving explanation about the development of Self-

defense Mechanisms of Santiago as the main character in Paulo Coelho’s The

Alchemist.

B. Review of Related Theories

1. Theory of Characters and Characterization

According to M. H. Abrams in A Glossary of Literary Terms (1985: 23 –

25), “Characters” are defined as the persons presented in a dramatic or narrative

work. There are two kinds of character in a literary work which are: flat characters

and round characters. A flat character is represented as an unchanged character

during the plot, while a round character is represented as a character that

experiences a radical change during the plot. In general, a flat character is presented

without much individualizing detail, while a round character is presented in a more

complex way in temperament and motivation. Also, a round character has the

capability of surprising the readers while a flat character does not. Without focusing

on these categories, this thesis concerns more about static and dynamic characters.

According to M. J. Murphy in Understanding Unseen (1972: 161 – 172),

characters can be classified into two categories: static characters and dynamic

characters. A static character is defined as the same character from the beginning

of the story to the end. It is basically the same as a flat character. Meanwhile, a


10

dynamic character undergoes some distinct changes, in personality, or in outlook.

It may be positive or negative but it involves certain significant and basic changes.

Furthermore, this study used two theories of characterization proposed by

M. J. Murphy and M. H. Abrams. According to M. H. Abrams (1985) in A Glossary

of Literary Terms (1985: 23 – 25), “Characterization” is defined as the process of

establishing the distinctive characters of the person in a narrative. There are two

methods that are presented in this process, which are showing and telling. In

showing, the character’s dialogue and action are represented as the description by

the author to be inferred by the readers. Meanwhile, in telling, the author gives a

literal description about the character itself. Both of these methods, showing and

telling, are still used by many authors to give a distinctive description of the

characters in a literary work, including novels. This process will help in analyzing

the characteristics of Santiago in the novel, The Alchemist.

According to M. J. Murphy (1972: 161 – 173), “Characterization” is defined

as the process of establishing a certain person in a fiction which includes what is

happening in its mind and emotions. Murphy suggested nine methods to analyze a

character which are personal description, character as seen by another, speech, past

life, conversations of others, reactions, direct comments, thoughts, and mannerisms.

These are the explanations on the nine methods according to Murphy. First,

personal description is the physical and appearance details of a character. Second,

character as seen by another means a character’s characteristics is given through

the eyes or opinions of other characters, which also can be through the comments

of other character. Third, speech is a statement which is said by the character itself


11

describing his or her own characteristics. Fourth, past life means characteristics of

a character are given through looking back on a character’s past life, which could

be his or her own past life, or could be another character’s past life. Fifth,

conversation of others means conversation of people around the character about the

character itself which describes the character’s characteristics. Sixth, reactions

mean how the character responds to some kind of situation, which becomes the

character’s characteristics. Seventh, direct comments refer to the giving of

description about a character by other characters or a simple narration. Eighth,

thought means a knowledge about how the character thinks about anything in the

story. Lastly, mannerism refers to how the character behaves, which becomes his

or her trait characteristics.

Basically M. J. Murphy and M. H. Abrams proposed similar ways to analyze

a character but in comparison, M. J. Murphy proposed a more specific method.

Nevertheless, for this study, both proposed methods will be used to analyze the

research object. M. H. Abrams showing method, applied specifically to M. J.

Murphy speech, conversations, and reactions methods will be mainly used in this

study based on how the author Paulo Coelho describes Santiago in The Alchemist.

2. Theory of Psychoanalysis

According to Saul McLeod (2007) in his website, psychoanalysis is a form

of a treatment that is used to help people as he or she talks about his or her own

problems to a trained psychiatrist, or simply known as the ‘talking cure’. So simply

interpreted the patients are asked to talk about their feelings or reactions that are

repressed, as the psychiatrist tries to help the patient find a solution for them while


12

the patients talks about their life experiences during the treatment process. In other

words, the researcher can conclude psychoanalysis is a form of psychological

treatment which concerns about feelings or reactions that are repressed, or as

McLeod explains about the patient’s unconscious anxieties and states.

Freud believed that people could be cured by making conscious their

unconscious thoughts and motivations, thus gaining insight. The aim of

psychoanalysis therapy is to release repressed emotions and experiences, i.e.

make the unconscious conscious. Psychoanalysis is commonly used to treat

depression and anxiety disorders. It is only by having a cathartic (i.e.

healing) experience can the person be helped and "cured" (McLeod, 2007).

In literary works Psychoanalysis is the approach that concerns about the

unconscious state of one person or character through the author’s perspectives. A

novel as a literary work is part of the unconscious part of the mind that the author

wants to convey but cannot be said as it is in reality. Novels are talking with their

own way according to the way the author wants the reader to gain insight.

In Freud’s definition of psychoanalysis, the human mind is controlled by

the psyche, a model that was developed by Sigmund Freud himself. According to

his theory, we have three different parts of the mind or psyche, which are called,

the id, ego, and superego. The id is the part that represents our instincts, the ego

represents the reality of human society, and the last, the superego represents one’s

morality in the society. Sigmund Freud also explained that through this unconscious

representation of the psyche, there might be some conflicts between the id and the

superego. As a result of these conflicts, one’s mind develops a self-defense

mechanism which is actually the repressed reaction toward feelings of being

oppressed. McLeod described Freud’s valuable contribution to psychoanalysis by

stating,


http://www.simplypsychology.org/unconscious-mind.html

13

Perhaps Freud's single most enduring and important idea was that the human

psyche (personality) has more than one aspect. Freud (1923) saw the psyche

structured into three parts (i.e. tripartite), the id, ego and superego, all

developing at different stages in our lives. These are systems, not parts of

the brain, or in any way physical. Although each part of the personality

comprises unique features, they interact to form a whole, and each part

makes a relative contribution to an individual's behavior (McLeod, 2007).

The quotation means that, one’s mind is structured into parts comprising the

psyche. A person’s actions are based on the three dominate traits. Whenever the

person acts, it will be considered first by these three aspects of their mind, the id,

ego, and superego. In considering these aspects the author’s descriptive images in

the novel are the parts which help the researcher to analyze Santiago’s personality.

3. Theory of Personality

The theory of personality aims to identify the personality of the main

character. As it is described above, the main character’s personality goes through

dynamic development. To better see this change, Jess Feist and Gregory J. Feist in

Theories of Personality, stated the difference of personality and characteristics,

Although no single definition is acceptable to all personality theorists, we

can say that personality is a pattern of relatively permanent traits and unique

characteristics that give both consistency and individuality to a person’s

behavior. Traits contribute to individual differences in behavior,

consistency of behavior over time, and stability of behavior across

situations. Traits may be unique, common to some group, or shared by the

entire species, but their pattern is different for each individual. Thus each

person, though like others in some ways, has a unique personality.

Characteristics are unique qualities of an individual that include such

attributes as temperament, physique, and intelligence (2006: 4).

From the quotation, the difference of personality and characteristics is in the

word “pattern” as personality is a pattern to the characteristic traits given in the

process of characterization. The pattern that is described is the key to reveal a

character’s personality. Even though one’s personality might be judged from the


http://www.simplypsychology.org/personality-theories.html

http://www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html

14

first interaction with another character, it will be only a temporary or partial

personality, as in a static character. This approach is necessary for the needs of

proving the hypothesis of judging the final personality or the psyche after having

developed with self-defense mechanisms (psychologytoday.com). The hypothesis

of personality will be seen by observing the actions of the observed. Thus, these

observations are more or less the same with observations in characterization.

Next, Jess Feist and Gregory J. Feist stated in their book quoting Erich

Fromm’s belief which explains that a person, instead of acting according to their

instincts, they act according to their character traits. It is because people have to

reconsider their action as it brings consequences.

People relate to the world in two ways – by acquiring and using things

(assimilation) and by relating to self and others (socialization). In general

terms, people can relate to things and to people either nonproductively or

productively (2006: 196).

As it is stated in the quotation above, people relate to the world only through

two ways, which are nonproductive (assimilation) and productive (socialization).

These two ways indicate that people who acquire through assimilation can be said

to be the receivers and the people who relate through socialization are the givers.

This ‘give and take’ relationship means that some people are the receivers who are

able to receive feelings, knowledges, and material things. Meanwhile as the

counterpart to the receiver kind of people, the givers can give feelings, knowledges,

and material things to others as they socialize with others. It is not impossible that

people can be both the receiver and the giver because people actually have the

potential to be both. There are also people who are only the receiver or the giver


15

part and they tend to be a person who exploits others or who is exploited by others.

This “state of being” involves situations where people are not developing anymore.

4. Theory of Self-defense Mechanism

The theory of self-defense mechanism aims to identify the process of the

self-defense mechanism to be developed in the character being observed. The

theory of self-defense mechanisms proposed by Phebe Cramer will be used in this

study. According to Phebe Cramer in her works, Protecting the Self: Defense

Mechanism in Action and Storytelling, Narrative, and the Thematic Apperception

Test, Self-defense Mechanism is defined as in the quotation below:

Unconscious mental mechanisms that are directed against both internal

drive pressures and external pressures, especially those that threaten self-

esteem or the structure of the self, as might occur when friends or family

fail to be emphatic or in some other way are “lost” to the individual. The

function of the self-defense mechanism is twofold: to protect the individual

from experiencing excessive anxiety, and to protect the integration of the

self (Cramer, 1991: 7).

As it is explained in the quotation, self-defense mechanism is a mental

mechanism which emerges due to pressures which might come either from internal

or external experiences of the individual. It means that the pressures can be

something or someone around the individual’s environment. It serves the

individual’s safety and well-being to ward off the anxiety from within and protects

them from being overwhelmed, and it also wards off any threat from their

environment. It keeps the individual safe from being threatened.

According to Cramer, there are self-defense mechanisms that are related to

one another. These are the three related self-defense mechanisms: Denial,

Projection, and Identification. These three self-defense mechanisms represent three


16

developmental periods based on its characteristics. Cramer, in Protecting the Self,

stated Denial as a cognitively simple mental operation, Projection as a self-defense

of greater cognitive complexity, and Identification as a self-defense of even greater

complexity, which increases slowly throughout childhood and becomes the most

important in the issues of one’s identity development (Cramer, 2006: 23).

Further providing description about these three self-defense mechanisms in

order to recognize their occurrence in narrative material, Cramer proposed more

specific details. Earlier in his explanation, Freud stated that denial functions to ward

off upsetting perceptions of the external world that would cause psychological pain

or upsetting reactions (Freud, 1940). Thus these are the proposed details by Cramer:

a. Denial

The components of Denial can be described as the following: the failure to see

what exists in reality, making mistakes in reality testing (misperception) or

misinterpreting the meaning of events, changing the experience of the event into

opposite (reversal), and negation, minimizing, maximizing the reality that occurs

(Cramer, 2006: 44). Thus, there are two types of denial that are proposed by Cramer,

which are Perceptual Denial and The Imposition of a Personal Fantasy. Perceptual

Denial, the first type of denial makes use of the first and the second components. It

follows with the example of narrative occurrence which is “The Emperor’s New

Clothes”. This story tells the reader about an Emperor which was literally deceived

by two rogues who supposedly weave special clothes but they actually did not. They

told the Emperor that the clothes only can be seen by wise men but actually there

were no clothes at all worn by the Emperor. The second type of denial, The


17

Imposition of a Personal Fantasy is more involved in the third and the fourth

components of Denial. The example of this type can be seen more in a folktale story

such as Cinderella. In the Cinderella story, the stepsisters who are ugly, and mean,

appear in the ballroom of the castle in fine dress and acting the part of potential

sweethearts to the prince. Both types are reflected in their own components but also

they can be overlapped so that the first type is having the third component, and the

second sharing the first and third components, or vice versa.

b. Projection

The components of Projection are: seeing something that isn’t there, assuming

one’s feelings, thoughts or wishes exist in others, and alternating reality (more or

less the same as misperception) into something more negative, or more ominous,

than they are in objective reality. From these components, Projection proposed by

Cramer is divided into three types: generalization of one’s own thoughts, feelings,

or self-image onto others, attribution of unacceptable characteristics of one onto

someone else with awareness, and attribution of unacceptable characteristics of one

onto someone else or onto others without awareness (Cramer, 2006: 73). On that

point, the projection which might be seen in a folktale may take the form of physical

escape, creation of protective barriers against attack, or attempts to disguise oneself.

c. Identification

The main features of identification proposed by Cramer are: a change that

occurs in the ego (i.e., the personality, behavior, or motives of the individual); the

change is in the direction of becoming like some other individual, group, or cause;

the change serves the purpose of maintaining an affective relationship with a


18

significant other; and the change is related to the development and maintenance of

self-esteem (Cramer, 2006: 94). From these features, Cramer differentiates

identification in the use into two forms of purpose: Defensive and Developmental.

The first one is Defensive Identification, which occurs to avoid anxiety and to

maintain self-esteem. The second one is Developmental Identification, about which

Cramer quoted Horner (95), who said it occurs necessarily in normal psychological

development and contributes to the formation of conscience, of the ego-ideal, and

finally of “identity”. In contrast to defensive identification, developmental

identification leads to a structural change in the self-representation (Horner, 1983).

C. Theoretical Framework

Theories implemented in this research are the theory of characters and

characterization, the theory of psychoanalysis, the theory of personality, and the

theory of self-defense mechanism. Those theories will provide the solutions in

solving the problem formulations which are proposed by the researcher.

The theory of psyche will be used to analyze the psychological condition of

the main character, Santiago, in specific moments he shows anxiety. From this

analysis, the researcher hopes that the first question in the problem formulations

will be solved. After that, from the psyche condition, the researcher aims to analyze

the personality of Santiago using the theory of personality. Before the theory of

personality is applied to identify Santiago’s personality, the theory of characteristics

will be used first to reveal the characteristics of Santiago in detailed descriptions

given by the novel’s author. Characteristics of Santiago will be used to determine


19

Santiago’s personality. This personality of Santiago will be the starting point of the

main analysis, examining the dynamic changes from before and after Santiago went

through the development process. His personality went through the development

process as Santiago began his journey in searching for the treasure from his dream.

From that point on, the researcher will analyze the details of the novel related to his

characteristic manner based on situations or conditions that might bring Santiago to

the point of developing self-defense mechanisms.

This list of characteristics along with their conditions or situations will lead

the analysis to the part of “Self-Defense Mechanism Development of Santiago”.

Thus, the list of self-defense mechanisms used in the story based on the described

situations will be used to determine the result of this research. The details of the

characteristics will be matched to the types of self-defense mechanism. From this

approach, the researcher will reveal the order of the self-defense mechanisms in

developing, and that will be the conclusion of this research.


20

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Object of the Study

The object of the study is a novel which is written based on what the author

had reflected on in his experiences. The Alchemist, is a literary work, by Paulo

Coelho, an author from Brazil. Originally, The Alchemist title is O Alquimista which

is written in Portuguese and first published in Brazil in 1988 (Riding, 2005). It

actually became famous after being published by a second Brazilian publisher.

From that point in time, the book was a success that has sold thousands of copies

compared to the first Brazilian publishing which was a failure only selling 900

copies of the book. The English version was first published in 1993 by Harper Torch

publisher and translated into English by Alan R. Clarke; it is this version that will

be used to conduct the analysis. Later, it was translated into 80 different languages

by 2015. From these 80 different languages, the book has sold over 65 million

copies and has been on New York Times best seller list for over 315 weeks which

makes this book into one of the international best seller books.

Almost all of his books are the result of reflections toward Paulo Coelho’s

experience of life, in the form of metaphors. Other examples of his book writing

that are based on his experiences are: The Pilgrimage, Manual of the Warrior of

Light, Veronika Decides to Die, The Winner Stands Alone, Aleph, The Witch of

Portobello, and Like the Flowing River. From these popular literary contributions,

Paulo Coelho is called as the ‘life changer’. The Alchemist is the main literary work


21

that makes him to be called the ‘life changer’. Ever since the website of Huffington

Post stated, this book had been on The New York Times bestseller list for over 315

weeks, for this reason the researcher was interested to conduct the research

concerning how this author gained the attribute as ‘life changer’

(www.huffingtonpost.com, 2017).

The Alchemist tells a story of a young shepherd from the Andalusian land in

a journey pursuing his “destiny” or personal legend. This “destiny” is one of the

main contents of the book which makes it one of the international best sellers. The

other main content is the “language of the world” which is used by Santiago in

pursuing his “destiny”. The “language of the world” which is mentioned above is

one of Paulo Coelho’s beliefs. He believes that the universe is going to help people

who pursue his or her own personal legend. Meanwhile in this great journey of a

person pursuing his/her destiny, there are many obstacles that have to be overcome.

In the novel, many hard conditions are described as Santiago is improving himself

to be a better character. This improvement or changes in his characteristics indicate

the dynamic development in the character of Santiago.

B. Approach of the Study

In revealing the problem statements that are formulated above, this research

is conducted using the psychoanalytic approach. For this purpose, psychoanalytic

is described as a literary approach that uses the psychological point of view in

analyzing a literary work (Barry, 2002: 97). The point of psychology that is

maintained in this study is the unconscious state of a person, although a literary


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

22

work doesn’t have an actual person in it but instead, a literary work has a character

that represents a real person in it. As it talks about the unconscious state of a person

or character, it applies a model that is developed by Sigmund Freud which is called

the psyche. This model will be used to analyze the object and answer the problem

statements.

Psychoanalytic approach is used in this study because the problems

formulated above discuss about the development of self-defense mechanisms in the

main character of Santiago. Self-defense mechanisms that will be discussed are

developed in the unconscious state of a fictional person or the character of Santiago.

The components of self-defense mechanisms also become the key point in this

study because only with these characteristics could the researcher analyze the

character’s development and then draw a clear conclusion for this study. Therefore,

the best way to discuss about Santiago’s dynamic development of self-defense

mechanisms is through this psychoanalytic literary approach.

C. Method of the Study

This study used library research, meaning that the study was conducted by

using primary and secondary sources. The primary source of this study is the novel

written by Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist. The secondary sources are Theory of

Personality by Jess Feist and Gregory J. Feist, Protecting the Self by Phebe Cramer,

and Freud – Complete Works by Ivan Smith.

There are several steps taken to analyze the self-defense mechanism

development in Santiago’s personality in The Alchemist, as follows: First, the


23

researcher used close reading on the object which is The Alchemist. The researcher

found that Santiago, the main character, is developing throughout the story which

was an indication of a dynamic process. The process that is mentioned means that

the main character, Santiago, has a different personality from the beginning and the

end of the story. From the changed personality in the beginning and the end of the

story, the researcher concludes Santiago has undergone some kind of condition

which triggered the changes. Next, the researcher formulated the problem

statements about this process to reveal the development of self-defense mechanisms

in the character of Santiago. The following are the steps that were done in order to

reveal Santiago’s self-defense mechanism development.

First, the researcher read the original theory of self-defense mechanisms by

Sigmund Freud to understand the components and the way it is developed under

various situations, and/or conditions.

Second, the researcher reread the primary source to look for the character

traits of Santiago. From the character traits, the researcher concluded Santiago’s

personality. Both the characteristic traits and the personality of Santiago will be

analyzed using each theory, applying the Characterization theory and Personality

theory. The results, Santiago’s personality changes (i.e., key moments) and list of

situations, and/or conditions that force Santiago to manifest self-defense

mechanisms, are presented according to the plot of the story.

Third, the researcher analyzed Santiago’s psychological condition

according to the personality changes revealed from the previous data. Santiago’s

self-defense mechanism were analyzed through this revealed psyche condition.


24

CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

To answer the two questions that were asked in the problem formulations,

the analysis is divided into two main sub-analyses. The first part is about the

characterizations of the major character, Santiago within The Alchemist. It discuss

about how the major character’s character traits are described and shaped

Santiago’s personality according to the story’s plot from the start till its end. This

approach is because the researcher found that Santiago’s character traits have

shown his personality, and also his personality, between the start and the end of the

story, is different. The second part of the analysis is about the process of self-

defense mechanism development within the major character related to Santiago’s

personality changes, as well as how it is described according to the plot of the story.

According to the theoretical framework stated in related studies, the

following steps in the analysis are being conducted: First, based on the relation of

M. H. Abrams and M. J. Murphy characterization’s application to this novel, the

character traits of Santiago were revealed. Second, conclusions were made

concerning Santiago’s personality based on his characteristics using Gregory J.

Feist’s theory of personality. Third, to show how his self-defense mechanisms are

developed related to Santiago’s personality changes, Phebe Cramer’s insights

applied on this process. Then, the analysis focus on which personality changes of

the major character considerably reveal the development of his self-defense

mechanisms. Further analysis on the characterization of the major character,


25

personality changes, and how the self-defense mechanism developed are being

discussed in both parts of the analysis below.

A. Characteristics and Personality of the Major Character: Santiago

In this research, the focus is on how the major character is described

throughout the story according to the plot by the author. The main character in this

novel is Santiago. Santiago is a dynamic character which means he has character

trait changes throughout the story. According to the theory of characterization and

personality, to get the characterization in full detail along with Santiago’s

personality, this part is divided into three parts which are Character Traits by

Telling, Character Traits by Showing, and Personality of Santiago. The first part

includes the personal description and past life method. The second part includes the

character as seen by others, speech, reactions, and thoughts. The third part states

Santiago’s personality changes through his dynamic development.

1. Character Traits by Telling

In this part of the analysis, Santiago’s character traits as the main character

of The Alchemist will be described by two parts. They are the personal description

and past life method. This part shows Santiago’s characteristics through description

about himself and also his past life that is given by the author. Through these

methods, two characteristics was observed, which describe him as adventurous and

curious. Thus, the explanation follows below:


26

a. Personal Description: Adventurous

As it is mentioned in the text: “His purpose in life was to travel, and, after

two years of walking the Andalusian terrain, he knew all the cities of the region”

(Coelho, 1992: 4). This statement shows that Santiago is an adventurous person. In

two years walking around the Andalusian terrain he never lowered his dignity about

being a shepherd. Santiago had thought that “he had already seen many castles and

met many women,” (Coelho, 1992: 5) which makes him seem more as an

adventurous person, since he want to travel not only the land, but the possibility to

travel the sea excites him. “If he were to tire of the Andalusian fields, he could sell

his sheep and go to sea. By the time he had enough of the sea, he would already

have known other cities, other women, and other chances to be happy” (Coelho,

1992: 5). Paulo Coelho stated that “He had never been to that ruined church before,

in spite of having traveled through those parts many times” (Coelho, 1992: 5). The

use of phrase “many times” makes it bold that in two years traveling, Santiago had

been to that part of the shepherding fields before but didn’t find the ruined church.

There are specific descriptions given by the author to declare Santiago as an

adventurous person, including, “I have been to many places” (Coelho, 1992: 10),

meaning that he confirmed the fact that he had been on an adventure as a shepherd;

“Because I like to travel” (Coelho, 1992: 12), Santiago stated showing him as an

adventurous character; and “So he began to wander through the city” (Coelho,

1992: 14), meaning that his decision to wander is because he had travelled far

through many obstacles, and through wandering he gets his mind clearer to think in

order to make the next decision. Next he explained, “He knew all the fields and


27

pastures of Andalusia” (Coelho, 1992: 15), meaning that his two years walking

improved his knowledge in what kind of places he had been to; He longed for

freedom, as the narrator describes, “The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind,

and saw that he could have the same freedom” (Coelho, 1992: 16), and the jealousy

Santiago felt improved the fact that he wanted to go on an adventure, “After all,

what he had always wanted was just that: to know new places” (Coelho, 1992: 23).

It is stated that Santiago always wanted to know new places as he was trying to

recover his confidence after surpassing a challenging conflict. There was one

insightful part where Santiago once again declared himself as an adventurer, "I'm

an adventurer, looking for treasure" (Coelho, 1992: 24), and he also qualified his

quest by stating, “He had decided, the night before, that he would be as much an

adventurer as the ones he had admired in books” (Coelho, 1992: 24).

b. Past Life: Curious

In this part of the analysis, Santiago’s past life is mentioned as in his

background. At first, it was stated in the description that Santiago was a seminary

student, not because of his own wants but his parents. Following a conversation by

Santiago with his father, Santiago stated that he wanted to be a shepherd just to

fulfill his curiosity about how to find God as he said that he “couldn’t have found

God in the seminary”. Thus, Santiago’s statements below make the point about

where his curiosity first blossomed to start his treasure journey to find God.

"But I'd like to see the castles in the towns where they live," the boy

explained.

…

"Well, I'd like to see their land, and see how they live," said his son.

…

"Well, then I'll be a shepherd!" (Coelho, 1992: 5)


28

2. Character Traits by Showing

In this part of the analysis, Santiago’s character traits as the main character

of The Alchemist will be described by four parts. There are character as seen by

another, speech, reactions, and thoughts. This part shows Santiago’s character traits

through other characters’ description, through Santiago’s speech as he was having

conversation with other characters, through his reactions toward any situation he

encountered, and also through his own thoughts. Through these methods, four

characteristics were observed. Santiago’s traits are valiant inquisitive, regretful, and

conservative. Thus, the explanations are as below:

a. Character as seen by another: Valiant

There are some characters that helped Santiago in his journey. Those are

Melchizedek, the king of Salem, the old crystal merchant, and the alchemist. All of

them share the same thought of Santiago. Melchizedek, who first encountered

Santiago thought that Santiago has a valiant character trait. It was mentioned that

Melchizedek trusted in his thought as Santiago successfully decided on pursuing

his dream after he wanted to give up on his dream. It was because of Melchizedek

that Santiago decided to pursue the divine treasure, and to realize his dream.

Melchizedek said that “when you want something, all the universe conspires in

helping you to achieve it” (Coelho, 1992: 12). The first proof was a statement by

Melchizedek that he believed Santiago would be successful, “The gods should not

have desires, because they don't have destinies. But the king of Salem hoped

desperately that the boy would be successful” (Coelho, 1992: 19).


29

The second character who encountered Santiago was the old crystal

merchant. The old crystal merchant believed that Santiago was determined to

realize his dream. This happened when Santiago decided to go back as a shepherd

but the old crystal merchant encouraged him. His encouragement was only by a

magic word, the word “maktub”. For which, according to

www.oxfordislamicstudies.com, maktub means “written by God” or in popular

religion, it means “fate or something that is predetermined”. The old crystal

merchant had said to Santiago that he is not to be a shepherd again. He said it as he

knew, somehow, Santiago would be successful in realizing his dream. The old

crystal merchant was having an experience with Santiago that makes him believed

on Santiago’s ability. For almost a year, Santiago had worked for him at the crystal

shop, and he got a lot of profit. For proof, Santiago had enough money to double

his flock, and at that moment what he wanted was to be a shepherd again. Thus the

proof will be provided as below:

"I am proud of you," he said. "You brought a new feeling into my crystal

shop. But you know that I'm not going to go to Mecca. Just as you know

that you're not going to buy your sheep."

"Who told you that?" asked the boy, startled.

"Maktub" said the old crystal merchant.

And he gave the boy his blessing (Coelho, 1992: 33).

The third character who believed in Santiago’s valiant character trait was

the alchemist. The alchemist believed in Santiago as he was always successful in

passing the tests. The alchemist gave different types of tests to Santiago in order to

make sure that Santiago is the ‘chosen one’. The tests are designed to show some

courage in front of threat, finding life in the desert, and learning the language of the

world by turning himself into the wind. In the first test, the alchemist threatened


http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/

30

Santiago on the first time they met each other. Under the threat, the alchemist

wanted to know what kind of answer Santiago would give. As for this test, Santiago

successfully satisfied the alchemist with his answer. Thus the alchemist stated that

he was impressed with Santiago’s answer as it is stated in this quotation, “The

stranger seemed satisfied with the answer” (Coelho, 1992: 61). The second test,

Santiago told the alchemist that he knew that there is life in the desert but didn’t

know where to look. When the alchemist pointed out some clue about “life attracts

life” (65), Santiago managed to find life with this strategy which is his answer, “I

don't know the language of the desert, but my horse knows the language of life”

(65). As for the last test, they both got captured by some Arab tribe. In their

captivation, Santiago was forced to turn himself into the wind. If he failed, they will

die. Under this kind of pressure, Santiago managed to make some visual depiction

as Santiago turned himself into the wind. Again, the alchemist was satisfied with

Santiago’s achievement. Santiago managed to pass the tests without any fail. In

these circumstances, the alchemist stated that he was impressed with Santiago’s

spirit as seen in the following quotation, when he gave Santiago a final advice as a

parting gift, “No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in

the history of the world. And normally he doesn't know it” (Coelho, 1992: 90).

b. Speech: Inquisitive

In this part of the analysis, Santiago’s curiosity grew stronger than the first

part of the novel into a dynamic inquisitive character trait. It was because of the

word that he had never heard before. Santiago’s curiosity was triggered by the word

“maktub” that was said by the old crystal merchant. It is stated as follows:


31

"Maktub," the merchant said, finally.

"What does that mean?"

"You would have to have been born an Arab to understand," he answered.

"But in your language it would be something like 'It is written.'" (Coelho,

1992: 29).

This conversation became the point to lead Santiago into having a dynamic

inquisitive character trait. It was this magic word which was meant for him as a

guide later in the story. Later, Santiago believes that every single event he

experienced had a purpose but first on the novel application of using this word,

Santiago literally learned it from the old crystal merchant.

In the situation of getting confused by what truly was Santiago’s desire, the

old crystal merchant told Santiago that he deserved to get to the Pyramid to find his

treasure. The old crystal merchant was trying to get Santiago to believe in his

dreams again as he had passed the hardest situation that might have happened along

his journey. Since it was the decisive point to make Santiago, once again, chose

between his future and his past, this point triggered Santiago’s curiosity into

becoming a more developed and dynamic trait to help him on his journey.

"I am proud of you," he said. "You brought a new feeling into my crystal

shop. But you know that I'm not going to go to Mecca. Just as you know

that you're not going to buy your sheep."

"Who told you that?" asked the boy, startled.

"Maktub" said the old crystal merchant. And he gave the boy his blessing

(Coelho, 1992: 33).

…

Maybe because that wasn't really his dream (Coelho, 1992: 34).

As he decided on resuming his pursuit, Santiago’s inquisitiveness plays a

big role in realizing the omens on the path to his treasure. It was the old king,

Melchizedek, who reminds Santiago to follow the omens throughout his pursuit of

the treasure.


32

Santiago is full of curiosity when he first met the alchemist. The alchemist

explains to Santiago that his coming was according to the omen that was shown

upon him, and he was ordered to guide Santiago to his treasure. Many possibilities

were also explained by the alchemist influencing Santiago’s inquisitive trait. Some

explanations are as follows: Santiago was curious about how he can became the one

chosen by the alchemist; and second, Santiago was curious about his own dream as

he was about to give up his treasure and stay at the oasis because of Fatima. The

first explanation reached the following curious point as Santiago having this

conversation below with the alchemist:

"Why did you want to see me?" the boy asked.

"Because of the omens," the alchemist answered. "The wind told me you

would be coming, and that you would need help."

….

"And what about me?"

"When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help

that person to realize his dream," said the alchemist, echoing the words of

the old king. The boy understood. Another person was there to help him

toward his destiny.”

"So you are going to instruct me?"

"No. You already know all you need to know. I am only going to point you

in the direction of your treasure" (Coelho, 1992: 63).

This conversation might show Santiago didn’t want to believe that he was

the chosen one by the alchemist. The questions that were asked by Santiago shows

that he was still confused about what had happened. As he is trying to realize what

had happened, the alchemist provided him sufficient explanations to clear the

confusion. There are some important things that are mentioned by the alchemist,

such as he was guided by the wind to meet Santiago, as an omen, all the universe

will conspire to help people in realizing his dream, also as an omen, the old man

mentioned that Santiago already knew what he needs to know in his pursuit. These


33

explanations are enough to fulfill Santiago’s curiosity but not his stubbornness.

Thus, there is this conversation as the follow up of the previous conversation.

"But there's a tribal war," the boy reiterated.

"I know what's happening in the desert."

"I have already found my treasure. I have a camel, I have my money from

the crystal shop, and I have fifty gold pieces. In my own country, I would

be a rich man."

"But none of that is from the Pyramids," said the alchemist.

"I also have Fatima. She is a treasure greater than anything else I have won."

"She wasn't found at the Pyramids, either" (Coelho, 1992: 63).

In this conversation, Santiago is convinced to believe that his treasure isn’t

Fatima because "She wasn't found at the Pyramids” as is said by the alchemist. Then

Santiago is reassured that he must find his treasure at the Pyramids.

The alchemist also told Santiago to listen to his heart. It was because one’s

heart is able to tell one’s destiny. As for Santiago, it is able to show the treasure

whereabouts. Before Santiago understands this well, he was curious for the

importance of it. It was his heart that had become passionate over Fatima, the Oasis

girl, which distracted him from his real objective, the divine treasure. For this

confusion, the alchemist had helped him in deciding what is best for him. The

conversation below explained that the alchemist helped Santiago to fulfill his

inquisitiveness about the nature of one’s heart concerning what is important in life.

"Naturally it's afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything

you've won."

"Well, then, why should I listen to my heart?"

"Because you will never again be able to keep it quiet. Even if you pretend

not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be there inside you,

repeating to you what you're thinking about life and about the world."

"You mean I should listen, even if it's treasonous?"

"Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly. If you know your heart well,

it will never be able to do that to you. Because you'll know its dreams and

wishes, and will know how to deal with them.


34

"You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to

what it has to say. That way, you'll never have to fear an unanticipated blow"

(Coelho, 1992: 72).

…

"Why don't people's hearts tell them to continue to follow their dreams?"

the boy asked the alchemist.

"Because that's what makes a heart suffer most, and hearts don't like to

suffer"(Coelho, 1992: 73).

…

"Does a man's heart always help him?" the boy asked the alchemist.

"Mostly just the hearts of those who are trying to realize their destinies. But

they do help children, drunkards, and the elderly, too."

"Does that mean that I'll never run into danger?"

"It means only that the heart does what it can," the alchemist said (Coelho,

1992: 75).

Santiago’s inquisitiveness can be seen from this conversation, especially

from Santiago’s questions. It shows that he learns a lot through asking many

questions that is rooted from his inquisitive trait.

c. Reactions: Regretful

In this story, Santiago was stated having a disappointed character trait. It

was shown through his reactions. Furthermore, two disappointment reactions are

shown by Santiago toward the conditions he was in. Those are when he met the old

woman gypsy, and when he first set his foot in Africa on his epic adventure.

The first condition is when he met the old woman gypsy, Santiago was

disappointed that he didn’t know the answer for his own question. It was his

question about the end of his recurrent dream. The sequence of this condition was

as follows: first, he had this recurrent dream that bothered him in his journey as a

shepherd. Second, he remembered that there is an old woman gypsy who was well-

known for her ability to interpret dreams. Third, Santiago decided to seek this old

woman gypsy. Fourth, as he met the old woman gypsy, Santiago asked her to


35

interpret his dream. Fifth, the old woman only interpreted his dream as he had a

treasure waiting to be found. Sixth, Santiago asked for further information on how

to realize his dream into reality but the old woman gypsy said that she only knew

how to interpret dreams, not to realize it. In that point he got mournful for trying to

believe his own dream and thought that he might get a lie as an answer. The proof

was given below:

So the boy was disappointed; he decided that he would never again believe

in dreams. He remembered that he had a number of things he had to take

care of: he went to the market for something to eat, he traded his book for

one that was thicker, and he found a bench in the plaza where he could

sample the new wine he had bought. The day was hot, and the wine was

refreshing. The sheep were at the gates of the city, in a stable that belonged

to a friend. The boy knew a lot of people in the city. That was what made

traveling appeal to him—he always made new friends, and he didn't need to

spend all of his time with them. When someone sees the same people every

day, as had happened with him at the seminary, they wind up becoming a

part of that person's life. And then they want the person to change. If

someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry.

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their

lives, but none about his or her own (Coelho, 1992: 8).

The second condition is when he set his foot for the first time on the land of

Africa. He got disappointed as his money got robbed after he tried to believe and

tried to realize his dream. Santiago was disappointed in God as for what happened

to him in his early trial. The sequence for his condition was as follows: first,

Santiago went to the nearest bar as he first set his foot in Africa. Second, Santiago

felt lonely as he failed to consider the possibility that no one in Africa spoke

Spanish. Third, there was one young man who approached him using Spanish

words. Fourth, Santiago thought that it was an omen flowing with his “beginner’s

luck”. Fifth, he gave his trust to his new companion and handed over all of his

money as the new companion asked for it. Sixth, when they went to the market to


36

buy two camels, Santiago lost sight of his new companion. Seventh, Santiago tried

to believe that his new companion would come back to him but he did not. In that

condition, Santiago felt a great despair, and a great depression for trying to realize

his dream. He became disappointed with God as he believed God repaid those who

believed in dreams in such manner. Furthermore, he decided to go back to his

Andalusian land to be a shepherd again. The proof was given below:

He was so ashamed that he wanted to cry. He had never even wept in front

of his own sheep. But the marketplace was empty, and he was far from

home, so he wept. He wept because God was unfair, and because this was

the way God repaid those who believed in their dreams.

When I had my sheep, I was happy, and I made those around me happy.

People saw me coming and welcomed me, he thought. But now I'm sad and

alone. I'm going to become bitter and distrustful of people because one

person betrayed me. I'm going to hate those who have found their treasure

because I never found mine. And I'm going to hold on to what little I have,

because I'm too insignificant to conquer the world (Coelho, 1992: 22).

…

"I can give you the money you need to get back to your country, my son,"

said the crystal merchant.

The boy said nothing. He got up, adjusted his clothing, and picked up his

pouch.

"I'll work for you," he said.

And after another long silence, he added, "I need money to buy some sheep"

(Coelho, 1992: 27).

d. Thoughts: Conservative

Santiago is depicted as having traits of being conservative and careful that

might be seen from the description of his own thoughts. In one part of the novel,

Santiago remembered one important thing from the old king Melchizedek. He said

that Santiago must pay heed to the omens in his pursuit of the treasure. According

to the storyline, the beginning of this part was when Santiago is ready to buy a new

flock and going back to the land of Andalusia. As he was ready to buy his flock,

the old merchant advised him not to do it. On that point, he learned the word,


37

“maktub” and he consider it as an omen which brings his memory to the old king

Melchizedek. Santiago who remembered the old king and his magic sayings,

decided to go by the caravan. In his journey along with the caravan group,

Santiago’s conservativeness was being polished to “pay heed to the omens”. In the

middle of his journey, there was one turning event. Santiago said the word

“maktub” for the conclusion of the situation. The word was used also to reveal the

meaning as the omen that is discovered from the language of the world that the

group was in danger.

The three fell silent. The boy noted that there was a sense of fear in the air,

even though no one said anything. Once again he was experiencing the

language without words… the universal language (Coelho, 1992: 42).

…

And he concluded by saying the mysterious word: "Maktub" (Coelho, 1992:

42).

In the quotation, the word “maktub” is mentioned as a mysterious word.

This mysteriousness is discovered by Santiago as it might bring any omen that is

shown or told by the language of the world. Santiago who later had sharpened his

awareness toward omens and always used the word “maktub” to describe any omen

encountered. Another instance where Santiago explains how the relation between

the omen and the language of the world is stated in his conversation with the

Englishman. Santiago said that the caravan and the desert speak the same language,

for this reason the desert allows the crossing and going to test the caravan’s every

step until it reaches its destination. For what he said, Santiago explained it as an

omen, it was “how the soul of the caravan speaks to the soul of the desert” as he

mentioned them sharing the same language (Coelho, 1992: 43). After Santiago

learned the relation between the omens and the language of the world, he thought


38

about his treasure seeking and having thought about how things become more

difficult as he got closer to his treasure. Then, he relates it with “beginner’s luck”

that was mentioned by the old king. He thought that this luck was no longer

functioning, as he was dragged into more difficult positions so he considered the

omens as a language used by God to indicate what he should do (Coelho, 1992: 49).

After the caravan arrived at the oasis, Santiago helped the Englishman to

find the alchemist. In his attempt to find the alchemist, Santiago met Fatima

coincidentally. As his conservativeness trait became stronger, Santiago realized

some strange atmosphere, a strong feeling, a strange force, that is able to be

understood by everyone that is love. Also, it was this that made Santiago distracted

from his pursuit. Once, Santiago tried to convince Fatima to marry to him but

Fatima refused with the reason that she is the woman of the desert. With this reason

only, Santiago still cannot accept Fatima’s decision to refuse him. As he tried to

reveal the other reason, Santiago found an omen that is shown by the flight of two

hawks above him. He sensed it as an omen as a “fleeting image” came to him and

vanished suddenly. Santiago thought about the fleeting image negatively and

wanted to forget it but he could not. He remembered what Melchizedek had told

him that he had to “always heed the omens”. So he made the decision to tell the

chieftains of the oasis that they were in danger (Coelho, 1992: 55). Right after

Santiago met with the chieftains of the oasis, the alchemist approached him. The

alchemist said that Santiago should love the desert but never to trust it completely.

"You must not let up, even after having come so far," he continued. "You

must love the desert, but never trust it completely. Because the desert tests

all men: it challenges every step, and kills those who become distracted."

What he said reminded the boy of the old king (Coelho, 1992: 62).


39

After Santiago succeed in surviving the ambush of the war troops, as he was

told, Santiago went to meet the alchemist in his tent. Santiago was forced to find

life in the desert by the alchemist after that. He needed Santiago to find the source

of life in the desert as the requirement of making his awareness to the better

condition. It was also for Santiago to have an exercise in solving the riddle of the

desert as it will test Santiago along his pursuit. It is mentioned by the statement of

the alchemist, which also provides the proof of Santiago is able to solve the riddle.

"I don't know how to find life in the desert," the boy said. "I know that there

is life here, but I don't know where to look."

"Life attracts life," the alchemist answered (Coelho, 1992: 65).

…

"There's life here," the boy said to the alchemist. "I don't know the language

of the desert, but my horse knows the language of life" (Coelho, 1992: 65).

Although, until Santiago is able to find life in the desert, he still didn’t get

the answer for his confusion over Fatima. Instead laid down in the desert, he had

decided to continue his pursuit. As he is having conversation with the alchemist,

again, the trait of his conservativeness helps him to succeed in realizing the answer.

The alchemist provides him an explanation about alchemy, which is the metaphor

referring to Fatima. "If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil.

And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light,

like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return" (Coelho, 1992:

69), this quotation was believed as the answer. From the quotation above, it might

be said “one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil” means love. It might

be interpreted as when the love Santiago had found was a true love, it would not

easily fade away. Also the next sentence, “If what you had found was only a


40

moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return”

means one-time love. It might be interpreted as when Santiago just only had found

love that is not true, he should never trust Fatima in the first place so that when he

achieved the treasure, he must accept that Fatima would be with someone else.

Santiago understood the metaphor from the conversation, and he was able to put his

heart at ease. Thus, he had a conversation with his heart about the relation between

omen, language of the world, and God, since his heart was fearful of having failed

to find the treasure. This was the part where Santiago needs his heart to help him in

understanding the language of the world, and to annihilate the fear in his heart. The

alchemist had said that it was important to hear his own heart as it might speak the

same language as the language of the world. As the heart had told Santiago that it

had fearful of having failed, the alchemist told the following quotation: "Listen to

your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it

will one day return there" (Coelho, 1992: 71). The quotation shows that learning

the language of the world means that he had to learn his own heart and that is what

exactly Santiago did afterwards in order to annihilate its fear. Santiago continued

his journey with the alchemist crossing the desert. Upon arriving at the Pyramid,

Santiago’s carefulness is shown as it had become sharpened through one final

lesson from the alchemist. In this part, Santiago’s carefulness is being symbolized

with his heart as Santiago became fonder of his own heart.

The sun was setting when the boy's heart sounded a danger signal. They

were surrounded by gigantic dunes, and the boy looked at the alchemist to

see whether he had sensed anything. But he appeared to be unaware of any

danger. Five minutes later, the boy saw two horsemen waiting ahead of

them. Before he could say anything to the alchemist, the two horsemen had


41

become ten, and then a hundred. And then they were everywhere in the

dunes (Coelho, 1992: 78).

From the quotation above, Santiago’s heart could recognize the danger upon

his journey. It was not long after his heart recognized the danger approaching,

Santiago was being surrounded by the troops of Arab. The word “signaled” used in

the quotation shows that Santiago’s heart was aware of something he couldn’t see

physically. “Even from a distance, their eyes conveyed the strength of their souls.

And their eyes spoke of death” (Coelho, 1992: 78), as his heart could see the

strength of the other’s soul and it conveyed the intention of killing them. Then,

Santiago and the alchemist were captured. In order to survive from the threat, the

alchemist told the Arab that his friend, referring to Santiago, is an alchemist who is

fond of nature and has the power to turn himself into wind. As he told the Arab that

Santiago could turn himself into wind, the Arab gave them three days to prove it.

The alchemist told that in order to teach the last lesson of understanding the

universal language. It was because the alchemist knows certain things. He knows

that Santiago learns much faster when he was concerned that in three days Santiago

should turn himself into the wind. Within three days of his survival time, Santiago

spent his second day, focused to hear what his heart wanted to say as he looked out

over the desert. He realized that his heart and the desert had spoken the same

language. Both of them spoke about the fear that was felt by Santiago. It was as if

the desert understood Santiago’s fear that is told by its own heart. This realization

was the other proof of his conservativeness which was sharper from the previous

part of the story. As it is quoted in this quotation: “He spent the entire afternoon of

the second day looking out over the desert, and listening to his heart. The boy knew


42

the desert sensed his fear. They both spoke the same language” (Coelho, 1992: 81).

As he gains an understanding about that, he shows the Arab a complete illusion. It

was stated in the story that Santiago wasn’t able to turn himself into wind but is

able to make it look like one. He spoke with the desert, the wind, the sun, and finally

the Soul of the World, in which it was the Soul of God. From within he could realize

that his heart, stated also as his soul, is part of it too. As he comes to this realization,

he deceived the Arab by turning into the wind, and also he had succeeded in learning

the last lesson from the alchemist.

Thus, at the end of the story, it was stated that his heart had grown to its

fullest. For the proof, his heart told Santiago where his treasure is. His heart told

him this, "Be aware of the place where you are brought to tears. That's where I am,

and that's where your treasure is" (Coelho, 1992: 89). Due to the clue that is given,

Santiago started to dig at where his first tears had fallen. When Santiago was being

busy with digging, a group of bandits approached him. Then, Santiago was beaten

down to pulp until one of the bandits said that he had the same dream as Santiago,

about treasure that is hidden under a sycamore tree in the Andalusian terrain, but he

could be wrong. Instead believed in his own dream, the bandit thought that

following his dream is a foolish act so he decided not to believe his own dream.

Santiago who heard the bandit’s story, couldn’t get happier for he realized where

his treasure really is. This was the proof that Santiago’s conservativeness was

developed to the fullest. Also his carefulness as he was beaten to pulp for not telling

the bandits about what he was really doing.


43

3. Personality Changes in Santiago

According to the previous section, Santiago had six character traits, which

are: adventurous, curious, regretful, valiant, inquisitive, and conservative. All of

these traits show that Santiago experienced the assimilation and socialization

process. In this process, Santiago got mixed up with his regretful trait, and became

productive with his inquisitive, curious, valiant, and conservative trait. Based on

the traits, Santiago underwent the assimilation process in the moments of: being a

shepherd, deciding to go on a treasure pursuit, symbolized by his adventurous trait;

meeting the old gypsy woman and the king of Salem, Melchizedek, getting

disappointed and lively for pursuing his treasure, symbolized by regretful and

curious traits; meeting the thief and the old crystal merchant, getting robbed and

learning the word “maktub”, symbolized by the valiant trait; meeting the

Englishman, Fatima, and the alchemist, observing the caravan throughout dessert,

observing the omen of flying hawks, while threatened by many things, and learning

the language of the world, symbolized by his inquisitive and conservative traits.

Matched to the plot of the story, there are several parts that become the key

moments, from the first part of the story, which are: Santiago meeting the old

woman gypsy and Melchizedek, Santiago feeling lonely, Santiago getting new a

companion, getting robbed and depressed. From the second part of the story there

are: Santiago leaving the old crystal merchant with load of money, Santiago joining

the caravan, learning the omen from the desert, also meeting the Englishman and

Fatima, Santiago observing the flying hawks omen and meeting the alchemist,

Santiago and the alchemist getting captured and learning the language of the world,


44

and applying the lessons from the alchemist at the time he digs for his treasure.

Thus, Santiago’s personality might be concluded as careless at the first part of the

story. It was because he trusted and chose his paths in pursuing his treasure only

based on his desire without considering any risks he would take. As for the second

part, Santiago’s personality might be concluded as intuitive, brave, and calm. It was

because in the second part, Santiago intuition to learn emerged as his determination

to pursue the treasure was emboldened. He would take any risks that awaited.

B. Self-defense Mechanism Development of Santiago

Santiago is a dynamic character whose characteristics change as he pursues

his treasure from his own dreams. Santiago changes from a careless person into an

intuitive, brave and calm character. At the beginning of the story Santiago is being

careless as he is selfish toward what he had known and only what he usually did.

Then, he turns into an intuitive, brave, and calm character as his fate required him

to be in order to achieve his treasure. According to Freud’s definition of

psychoanalysis, one’s mind as a human is controlled by the psyche. It controls the

pace of human personality as the developmental characteristics appeared. The

psyche has three different parts which are called, the id, ego, and superego. Santiago

as a developing human in this novel, also can be said having these parts of the mind.

Sigmund Freud also explained that through the representation of the psyche, there

might be some conflicts between the id, the ego, and the superego (trials or tests),

which resulted in the development of self-defense mechanisms which is actually

the reaction to being in danger and/or oppressed.


45

In order to reveal Santiago’s self-defense mechanisms that are developed

throughout his journey, this part will observe through Santiago character traits and

personality discussed in the previous part and the discussion will be divided into

three parts. These three part consists of the three developmental self-defense

mechanisms proposed by Phebe Cramer, which are Denial, Projection, and

Identification. These developmental stages of self-defense mechanisms can be seen

as the part of analyzing the main focus of this research, with the aim to answer the

second problem formulation. Thus, these three were being matched to the psyche

analysis of the character traits according to the key moments of each character trait.

Through the key moments provided from the previous analysis, Santiago’s self-

defense mechanism development was intended to be proved. Further explanation

about the three-stage developmental process of self-defense mechanisms are

explained below:

1. Denial

Santiago who is known as an adventurous character begins to show his

carelessness as stated by the way he gave his point of view toward problems, also

the resolution to these problems, and self-defense mechanism that were used. There

are three key moments discovered where Santiago used Denial self-defense

mechanisms. These key moments happened when Santiago lost all of his money,

and some denial self-defense mechanism was shown after that but it did not seem

as the key moment. The first problem he encountered was when he met the old

gypsy woman and Melchizedek. At this point he showed the anxiety to accept the

truth. The truth was Santiago is better to take what was so called as “destiny”


46

explained by Melchizedek rather than to be a shepherd for the rest of his life. The

order of the arising key moments is explained as: Santiago had a dream that shows

he was unconsciously interested in seeking treasure. Second, he was curious enough

to discover the meaning of his dream. Third, he went to an old woman gypsy whose

ability to interpret dream was approved. Fourth, his knowledge about the gypsy

women’s limitations had prevented him to believe what the old woman gypsy had

said about his dream. Fifth, the final order, he met Melchizedek who approached

him right after his encounter with the old woman gypsy and he was the one that

gave Santiago an anxiety about what he should do.

Santiago remembered what the old king had said to him “In the long run,

what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them

than their own destinies” (Coelho, 1992: 13). This statement makes him realize how

truly the world works as Melchizedek read his mind, his way of thinking, and his

condition as painful reality. In proof of his denial to this reality it is stated in the

following quotation: “He was tense and upset, because he knew that the old man

was right” (Coelho, 1992: 14). Santiago felt the anger and uneasiness toward his

reality. Based on the characterization described in the previous section, Santiago’s

curiosity had become a problem to be solved. In this condition, Santiago’s psyche

condition might be described as: his id wants the pleasure of having Santiago’s

dream believed as the truth. His ego wants to show that what Santiago’s believes is

not the truth according to the reality but just partial of the truth considering the truth

which is said by Melchizedek. Moreover, his superego had thoughts of listening to

others as it is the moral of having conversation with older people, where the elders


47

encourage implementing what is best for one and discarding what is bad. The

condition of Santiago’s psyche implied into his failure and denial on seeing what

exists in reality. According to Denial, as stated in related theories, Santiago is using

the Perceptual Denial self-defense mechanism as his response toward the first

anxiety.

The second key moment he encountered was when Santiago felt uneasiness

for being so lonely at a new place. After Santiago decided to pursue his dream, he

went to Tangiers, the new land with the new language he had never known before.

On his first time setting foot onto the new land, Santiago was uneasy by the

loneliness he felt. This loneliness brought anxiety toward his psyche system. His id

wanted the pleasure of a companion. Under this anxiety, Santiago might use the

denial self-defense mechanism. It might be stated that the thought of Santiago was

as follows, “In money there was magic; whoever has money is never really alone”

(Coelho, 1992: 19). In this condition, Santiago’s psyche condition might be

described as: his id might want to keep Santiago calm about his situation. His ego

wanted to tell Santiago that he is cornered for not having the ability to speak Arabic

but his superego told him to focus on how he should find a way to get to his treasure.

Santiago disbelieved this line of thought as his resolution toward his loneliness but

this was actually the proof of Santiago using Denial as a self-defense mechanism

toward the threat which is loneliness. This thought might be said as the proof

because it fulfills the requirement for a denial self-defense mechanism which is the

state of maximizing positive conditions that Santiago would not be lonely and

denying the situation in which he actually was alone at the moment. According to


48

Denial, Santiago was using the Imposition of a Fantasy Denial for him to believe in

the power of money. Santiago’s carelessness kept him away from the reality. For

this second anxiety, Santiago countered it with Denial with Fantasy.

The third key moment in this part of this story was right after Santiago met

his new companion. It is because he got robbed by his new companion and felt a

great depression. Being happy after finally having a companion, Santiago was

deceived by his own naïve thinking. He thought that it was an omen for a way

toward his treasure. Thus, Santiago believed in what the boy said to give him his

money and follow him to the market in order to buy two camels. Next, Santiago

lost sight of his new companion along with all his money. The situation had put

Santiago into depression and full of regrets. Before that, there is proof on the way

Santiago denies his situation. Stated on page 22 of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho,

Santiago wanted to believe that he only got separated from his new companion and

he decided to stay right at the market and await his new companion’s return. In

other words, Santiago tried to deny that his new companion had robbed him. In this

case, this was Santiago’s denial toward his real situation. Santiago uses Perceptual

Denial, up to the point he decided to await his new companion’s return until the

next morning. In that condition, Santiago’s decision was only to fulfill his desire to

deny the reality as his superego shown to keep him right on his path toward his

treasure. His id was shown being oppressed by his ego as he felt regret for having

believed in his new companion. Santiago’s regret was also in believing his dream.

The moment made Santiago to not want to continue his pursuit, instead, he wanted

to go back home and become a shepherd again. Regrets had swollen the self of


49

Santiago till he decided not to pursue his treasure anymore. The denial self-defense

mechanism in this condition was used to deny that pursuing his treasure was his

destiny. He forgot about all Melchizedek had said to him. Then, Santiago searched

a way for him to go back to Andalusian terrain. He found a crystal shop not so far

from the market. At the shop, he met an old crystal merchant who takes care of the

shop by himself. Santiago begged for a job with all the courage within him. He

wanted a job to save up some money as he needed it to buy a flock and a ticket to

get back home. Then, he managed to get the position at the store and start working

in the next day with new goals in mind. For this anxiety, Santiago was shown using

Perceptual Denial to defend himself from his regrets for believing in his thieving

companion and trying to realize his recurring dreams.

2. Projection

Early in this story, Santiago was known as a careless character, who started

to change his point of view toward his problems. His way of giving resolution

toward his problems also changed, as seen in the self-defense mechanisms that he

used. In the latter part of the story, there are Santiago’s personality changes after he

experienced some key moments, or turning point moments in his journey. Some of

his turning points were through some problems he faced and some others through

when he encountered accidents with something or someone. There are three key

moments discovered that triggered Santiago’s turning points in this part of the story.

The first moment happened when Santiago was working at the crystal shop. While

he was working there, Santiago was having a deep conversation with the old crystal

merchant that brought him toward his first turning point. The order of Santiago’s


50

first turning point are: Santiago was having deep conversations about both their

lives, also talking about both their dreams, about omens, and “maktub”.

It really started with Santiago wanting to build a display case for the crystals.

At first, the old crystal merchant was against it, as some customers might break the

crystals, but then, Santiago told him about when he was a shepherd with his flock

and the snakes in the terrain. It was all about the life cycle, about risk and losing

something in life. Having heard Santiago’s reaction, the old crystal merchant started

asking for his actual reason because the old crystal merchant was satisfied enough

with their new income. Then, Santiago told the old crystal merchant that he was

going back to be a shepherd as soon as he can by saying he was “responding to

omens”. With having said that, Santiago started his self-defense, using a Projection

self-defense mechanism as he generalized at first that the old crystal merchant had

met Melchizedek just like him. As the proof it was also stated that Santiago

regretted for having said about omens (Coelho, 1992: 28). The regret stated above

was the proof that Projection self-defense mechanism was unconsciously emerging

in that moment by Santiago toward the old crystal merchant. As explained by

Cramer (2006: 88), one generalization process of an individual’s thought is

categorized as Projection. Santiago had failed in recognizing their differences of

experience. After that, the old crystal merchant asked for Santiago’s dream, and an

explanation of exactly his purpose. Santiago used Projection to give his reaction

toward the question. He said that his reason was only because he had always heard

about the Pyramids instead of pursuing his treasure. There is an additional reason

for him to project the reality, “The treasure was now nothing but a painful memory,


51

and he tried to avoid thinking about it” (Coelho, 1992: 28). Santiago saying this can

be considered as a hyper-alertness toward any anxiety that could come at any time.

Santiago’s personality at this time was still careless, and his psyche condition was

as follows: his id desired to go pursue his treasure but his ego had gone under great

depression when he lost his money, and his superego allowed his ego win the

conflict in order to avoid any more pain. Then, the old crystal merchant replied to

him with talking about his own dream, going to Mecca. Instead while Santiago

wanted to realize his dream, the old crystal merchant just wanted to dream about it,

he said, and the conversation ended here.

After some time, the conversation continued, Santiago was ready for leaving

and he asked for the old crystal merchant’s blessing. Before Santiago asked for the

man’s blessing, he said, “I’m leaving today” and “I have the money I need to buy

my sheep. And you have the money you need to go to Mecca”. This quotation shows

that Santiago was still projecting that the old crystal merchant will go to Mecca in

his carelessness. Despite the fact that the old crystal merchant had told him that he

did not want to go to Mecca, he told him again like this: “I am proud of you, you

brought a new feeling into my crystal shop. But you know that I’m not going to go

to Mecca. Just as you know that you’re not going to buy your sheep”. As curious

for what reason the old crystal merchant told him that, Santiago asked him. The old

crystal merchant just replied it with one word, “maktub” with the meaning of “All

is written by God”. Packing up his stuff, Santiago was thrown into deep inner

conflict. Santiago said to himself that he is going back to the fields to take care of

his flock again but he was no longer happy with that decision, projecting again his


52

own hyper-alertness. This hyper-alertness also emerges as the follow up of the

Projection in use (Cramer, 2006: 73). In this condition, his psyche condition was as

follows: his id still wants to go to the Pyramids but still his ego forbids it. His

superego, after hearing the word “maktub”, is in the opposite position. It might tell

Santiago to seek new experiences rather than being the same old Santiago. This

condition might show that Santiago was using the Projection self-defense

mechanism as his ego tried to prevent any more pain as perceived by the psyche.

The proof that strengthened his superego condition was in the below quotation and

followed by the statement, “He suddenly felt tremendously happy.”

“I know why I want to get back to my flock, he thought. I understand sheep;

they're no longer a problem, and they can be good friends. On the other

hand, I don't know if the desert can be a friend, and it's in the desert that I

have to search for my treasure. If I don't find it, I can always go home. I

finally have enough money, and all the time I need. Why not?” (Coelho,

1992: 35)

The second moment happened when Santiago continued his journey in a

caravan that was going to the Oasis, Al-Fayoum. On the caravan, Santiago met the

Englishman. Then, after he arrived at the Al-Fayoum, he met Fatima. When

Santiago met the Englishman, he realized that the Englishman is a man who had a

philosopher’s stone same as him. Before that, he found this Englishman as an

annoying man who had closed off their first conversation on the very first

encounter. After his conversation was closed off by the Englishman, Santiago

started to open his book but after a short time he closed his book again. It was

because he did not want to look like the Englishman who spent most of his time

with his books. This reason was the proof of Santiago revealing his self-defense

mechanisms again. In this situation, he used the second form of Projection. It was


53

explained by Cramer, in the previous section, in her Protecting the Self: Self-defense

Mechanisms in Action that the second form of Projection, involves projecting one’s

characteristics onto someone else (88). In this occasion, Santiago who loved to read

a book which is the same as the Englishman did not want to look like were having

the same activities. Thus, Santiago closed his book just to appear different from the

Englishman. Meanwhile, both Santiago, and the Englishman as well as the caravan

moved toward the east to the Oasis, Al-Fayoum. As he learned from the first

moment that he would learn from the desert, Santiago decided to observe the desert

along with the caravan crowd who tried to go across it. Santiago decided to observe

these things which shown as the result of his personality starting to change to be

more intuitive, brave, and calm. He, as his personality became intuitive and calm,

learnt more about the word “maktub” that all things were written by the same hand

as in the quotation below.

"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our

possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that

our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand"

(Coelho, 1992: 41).

Right after this conversation, a hooded man approached them and told the

rumor of tribal wars. In order to keep the caravan safe, Santiago and the Englishman

decided to exchange their way of learning so that both of them knew better about

the language of the desert. This intuitive personality of Santiago helped him realize

that his ability was more honed when he observed the desert and learning through

books is not compatible with him at all. Santiago reached the Oasis with the caravan

in order to avoid the tribal war which was happening in the desert. In the quest of


54

helping the Englishman, Santiago went to the nearest well from his tent to ask

people about the Alchemist.

In his attempt, Santiago met Fatima and fell in love in the first sight. This

meeting marked Santiago’s confusion in his calm personality. It was because

Santiago has to postpone his journey due to the tribal wars and when he decided to

ask Fatima to marry him, she refused. His psyche condition at the moment was as

follows: his id changed his desire from treasure to Fatima, his ego tried to lead

Santiago to continue his first pursuit but he ignored it. Santiago’s superego in this

moment was leading him into the chance to decide something important. On this

situation, Santiago’s self-defense mechanism was Generalization Projection along

with Projection with awareness. He projected his responsibility, his urges for the

treasure into any other people in the world who believed in dreams for the purpose

of keeping Santiago’s self-esteem, his happiness state. As he chose to stay at the

Oasis, he went to the desert in search for Fatima’s reason. Instead of getting the

answer, Santiago got a vision about an ambush that will happen at the Oasis. In

order to protect Fatima along with the lives at the Oasis, Santiago decided to tell

the Chieftains of the Oasis. At the meeting with the Chieftains of the Oasis,

Santiago’s words were believed but on one condition. Santiago will be killed if his

words were a lie.

The third moment happened when both Santiago and the Alchemist were

captured by the Arab tribe. In the middle of the Alchemist escort, both of them were

captured by an Arab tribe and would be killed soon. Thus, the Alchemist made a

promise with the Arab chief to show him along with his tribe that his friend could


55

turn himself into the wind with only three days’ preparation. In other words,

Santiago was forced to turn himself into the wind. Actually, it was the Alchemist

plan also to teach Santiago the last lesson he should knew. In this cornered situation

Santiago was scared to death because he did not even know how to turn himself

into wind, and he was not the alchemist, he said. In this cornered situation, on his

first day Santiago used Projection without awareness. It was because a small part

of his ego felt that it can be done only by the Alchemist but his id was not aware

that he was the chosen one to complete the task. Thus, his id and his superego tried

to push Santiago avoiding any depression by projecting the responsibility to the

Alchemist. On his second day, it was described that Santiago started looking out

over the desert and listening to his heart. Both his heart and the desert were

communicating in the same language (Coelho, 1992: 81). With this having been

mentioned. Santiago’s intuitive personality was urged to force him to search for the

answer on how to turn himself into the wind. His id along with his superego

managed to drag his ego with them to complete his task. On the third day, Santiago

tried and failed. He could not turn himself into the wind but he successfully

deceived the Arab tribe and managed to communicate with the soul of the world.

In the process, he learned even more in their conversation using the language of the

world.

3. Identification

Different from the other two, this self-defense mechanism emerged right in

the middle of the story until up to the end. According to Cramer (2006: 95), there

are two main uses for this mechanism to be applied, which are Defensive and


56

Developmental use. The Identification mechanism helped Santiago in developing

his personality and also his reaction toward his surroundings as he started to emerge

his Developmental Identification first before the Defensive Identification. There are

six key moments discovered which describe Santiago using the Identification self-

defense mechanism in the story. Some of it will be based on the condition that is

given in the Projection section. The description will be explained below.

The first key moment happened unconsciously as any person would have

done in an identification or observation process. It was shown when Santiago

remembered the existence of the old woman gypsy as he wanted to know about the

meaning of his recurrent dream. At this moment, his psyche condition was as

follows: his id desired to know the meaning of his recurrent dream, his ego stated

that there is a way to know the meaning by asking an expert, and his superego was

repeatedly stating that there is goodness in everything revealing something. Then,

the Developmental Identification was used unconsciously in order to reveal the

recurrent dream of Santiago. In his attempt to understand, he was told that he could

have a treasure but would have to go to the Pyramid. Santiago felt urged to know

the way to realize his dream, so he asked the old woman gypsy.

In the second key moment, the process of Identification was started for

Santiago when he decided to observe the desert to know the universal language.

The Identification process on this situation was the Developmental Identification

for Santiago who wants to learn the language of the desert as it is stated “I’ve

learned things from the sheep, and I’ve learned things from crystals. I can learn

something from the desert, too. It seems old and wise.” This urge of Santiago who


57

wants to learn from something new for him is the part of his id that wanted to know

the outside world from a different point of view. In this matter, his ego was agreed

to the id’s desire along with the superego. The journey continued with Santiago

being able to throw his book away because he found it more interesting to observe

the desert and listen to the wind, also to establish a relationship with his camel.

Once, a camel driver who had become his acquaintance told him about his life and

Santiago learnt through Developmental Identification process. In proof, he quoted

the camel driver’s speech in the time he got threatened by the alchemist on their

first meeting which is this “Everything has been written by the same hand” (61).

By observing the desert more than reading the book, his Developmental

Identification process was helping him in this situation.

The third key moment happened at the same time as his second key moment

using the Projection self-defense mechanism. It was started when Santiago met

Fatima for the first time, and he felt the strange atmosphere which is love. As

described previously, his psyche condition at the moment was as follows: his id

changed his desire from treasure to Fatima, his ego tried to lead Santiago to continue

his first pursuit but he ignored it. Santiago’s superego in this moment was leading

him into the chance to decide something important. On this situation, Santiago’s

self-defense mechanism was Defensive Identification. The defensive Identification

process that happened was for the purpose of keeping Santiago’s self-esteem. His

Defensive Identification was leading him to go to the desert in search for Fatima’s

reasons. Instead of getting the answer, Santiago got a vision about an ambush that

will happen at the Oasis. In order to protect Fatima along with the lives of the Oasis,


58

Santiago decided to tell the Chieftains of the Oasis. At the meeting with the

Chieftains of the Oasis, Santiago’s words were believed but on one condition.

Santiago would be killed if his words was a lie. His life was threatened and he used

Defensive Identification to put his life at ease. He tried to keep his calm personality

at the front of his perception. Santiago was described having no regret in that

situation. Instead, he believed in one word, “maktub”. (All is written by God.)

The fourth key moment happened as Santiago was walking out from the the

Chieftains tent area, and a strange horseman approached him. At first, Santiago did

not know that it was the Alchemist and at first, Santiago was cornered by a blade

kissing his neck. In that condition, Santiago’s brave personality plays its role as his

id wants him to stay alive. Under the threat of the Alchemist’s blade, Santiago used

both of his Identification self-defense mechanisms. He used his knowledge as well

as his courage to answer the Alchemist’s question. His ego was just being nervous

in that situation, and it was because the Alchemist’s blade was kissing his neck

which actually was only just a test. Eventually, Santiago survived the ambush and

managed to pass the Alchemist’s test with the help of his intuitive, brave, and calm

personality of course. This was the final test that allowed Santiago to be escorted

by the Alchemist safely through the tribal wars in the dangerous desert.

The fifth key moment happened when Santiago along with the Alchemist

were captured by the Arab tribe. The result was almost the same with the Projection

in third key moment. With this having been mentioned, Santiago used his

Developmental Identification in search for the answer on how to turn himself into

the wind. His psyche condition was as follows: his id wanted to prove that he is the


59

chosen one but his ego tried to see the reality in which the Alchemist could. As it is

stated in the story that the Alchemist had found the way to turn himself into the

wind (82). In this condition, Santiago’s superego tried to convince his ego.

The last moment happened when Santiago reached the Pyramid and was

digging for his treasure. At this moment Santiago was following his heart to dig

wherever his tears fell for the first time. While he was digging, a group of tribal war

refugees approached him. Lost to superior numbers, the refugees successfully stole

Santiago’s gold and beat him to pulp. The group of refugees forced Santiago to say

his reason for being there, digging. In this cornered situation, Santiago used his

Defensive Identification self-defense mechanism. This self-defense mechanism

emerged as Santiago’s ego was threatened by death as it is stated “he felt that death

was near.” Santiago decided to scream “I’m digging for treasure!” as he

remembered what the Alchemist had taught him. Then, the group of refugees

decided to leave Santiago alone. Before leaving, the leader of the group told

Santiago that he had a recurrent dream that he would find a treasure under a

sycamore tree in a ruined church where shepherds and their sheep slept. As his

personality was becoming intuitive and calm, Santiago knew the meaning of the

riddles of his ‘divine’ treasure’s whereabouts. Back home he went to the church

once more, and finally found his buried “divine treasure”.


60

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

Cramer stated self-defense mechanisms will emerge through the

unconscious part of the mind when the self is being oppressed by some kind of

threat. In order to secure the self through many obstacles that exist in this world,

people’s self-defense mechanisms will evolve over time. It is marked by the

developmental stages of self-defense mechanisms proposed by Cramer. In this

thesis, Santiago, who is the person being analyzed in The Alchemist, shows self-

defense mechanism development as the result of his personality changes on his

journey toward realizing his dream. However, the theory applied to Santiago only

mentioned three self-defense mechanism: Denial, Projection, and Identification,

without further examination for other self-defense mechanisms being used. Thus,

in The Alchemist, Santiago shows self-defense mechanism development only

limited to the below explanation.

In conclusion toward the analysis, there are several points explained in this

chapter in order to answer the two problem formulations. For the first problem

formula tion, there are four personality characteristics discovered in the story along

with their traits, and revealed based on the plot of the story. At the start of the story,

Santiago was described as a careless character with curious and adventurous traits

within him. The traits of being curious and adventurous were discovered through

the telling method—personal description and past life—of characterization.

Matched to the theory of personality, Santiago experienced some assimilation


61

process—receiving many information without any further processing—when he

was at this state. He got mixed him up in a troublesome situation. The researcher

concluded his personality as careless when he became disappointed with the old

woman gypsy, and then believed Melchizedek’s sayings about omens, and about

his dreams, without considering other possibilities he would encounter. As the

result, he lost his money, early in his journey when just starting his second step.

Personality changes were shown after Santiago became depressed about

losing all of his money. When Santiago reached the key moment, where he learnt

the word “maktub”, his personality changed into being intuitive, brave, and calm.

These personality characteristics were followed by their traits, which are: valiant,

inquisitive, regretful, and conservative. His personality changes which were marked

by his regretful trait were shown in one of the key moments. It was his regretful

trait that is discovered through the showing method of characterization. This trait

was shown in the part of Santiago’s depression about losing all of his money. The

other traits discovered through the showing method involved: character as seen by

another, speech, and thoughts. Santiago’s personality change was revealed when

the traits were matched to the theory of personality and also to the story itself.

According to the story, when Santiago was developing the traits of being valiant,

inquisitive, and conservative, he also underwent a socialization process through the

rest of his journey. After he lost his money, Santiago did many communications,

such as with the old crystal merchant, the Englishman, Fatima, the Alchemist, and

the Soul of the World.


62

Santiago’s personality changes from careless into intuitive, brave, and calm

were marked as developmental stages. Thus, the second question of the problem

formulations might be answered. Santiago’s personality changes were divided

accordingly into the stages of self-defense mechanism—Denial, Projection, and

Identification—as proposed by Cramer. According to Cramer, the first self-defense

mechanism in early use was Denial. The second was Projection, followed by

Identification process sometimes combining the three. In the Denial part of the

analysis, Santiago used Denial self-defense mechanism in the first part of the story,

up to when he learnt the language of the world. Despite the fact that Santiago mainly

used it before he learnt the word “maktub”, he used Denial to counter the threat of

inner regret. Santiago used Denial to maintain his own confidence instead of

believing in the old woman gypsy and Melchizedek’s word, to keep himself positive

in loneliness instead of regretting his choice, and to keep himself at peace instead

of regretting what had been done when he got robbed. In the Projection part of the

analysis, Santiago had learnt the word “maktub” along with the true meaning of

omens and he did not regret anything anymore. Mainly, he used Projection in order

to maintain the peace of his heart. Santiago used Projection to maintain his inner

peace by underestimating others’ feelings, to maintain his happiness with Fatima as

he didn’t realize his own destiny, and to maintain his “own” role at the moment

without wanting to improve himself. In the Identification part of the analysis,

Santiago was having the urge to learn something new as he had the ability to

observe his surroundings, and this dynamic development was noted as his


63

inquisitive trait. Yet, sometime he used his knowledge, what he had learned, to

make an excuse for his own naïveté.

Thus the researcher in the final analysis found the following insights

especially noteworthy: first, how Santiago found it hard to accept reality at first,

and second, later he learned to accept his own failure as a part of learning about life.

This pattern becomes the main conclusion on how the development of Santiago’s

self-defense mechanisms emerged and developed throughout his journey in search

of “divine treasure”.


64

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abel, Yoseph Oediphus. "Self-defense Mechanism of Sherlock Holmes in the

Stories of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Conan Arthur Doyle." Undergraduate

Thesis. Yogyakarta: Sanata Dharma University, 2016.

Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Boston: Earl McPeek, 1998.

Barry, Peter. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory.

Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2002.

Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. Ed. Alan Clarke. New York: Harper Torch, 1993.

Cramer, Phebe. Protecting The Self: Self-defense Mechanisms in Action. London:

Guilford Press, 2006.

Cramer, Phebe. Storytelling, Narrative, and the Thematic Apperception Test.

London: Guilford Press, 1996.

Cramer, Phebe. The Development of Self-defense Mechanism: Theory, Research,

and Assessment. Massachusetts: Springer-Verlag New York Inc., 1991.

Feist, Jess Feist & Gregory J. Theories of Personality. New York: McGraw-Hill

Primis, 2006.

Gay, Peter. The Freud Reader. London: W. W. Norton & Company, 1995.

“Maktub.” In The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. Ed. John L. Esposito. Oxford Islamic

Studies Online. 18 October 2017.

<http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t125/e1402> (October

18th, 2017, 12.47 a.m.)

McLeod, Saul. Self-defense Mechanism. 2009.

<http://www.simplypsychology.org/self-defense-mechanisms.html>.

McLeod, Saul. Psychoanalysis. 2007.

<http://www.simplypsychology.org/psychoanalysis.html>.

Murphy, M. J. Understanding Unseen. London: Allen and Unwin, 1972.


65

Oprah Winfrey Network. Paulo Coelho Explains How ‘The Alchemist’ Went From

Flop To Record-Breaking Bestseller. 06 December 2017.

<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/the-alchemist-paulo-coelho-

oprah_n_5762092.html> (December 4th, 2017, 10.28 p.m.)

“Psyche” [Def.2b]. In Merriam Webster Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, n.d.

Web. 28 September 2017.

<https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psyche> (September 28th,

2017, 10.14 p.m.)

Riding, Alan. Paulo Coelho: Writing in a Global Language. 30 August 2005.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/books/paulo-coelho-writing-in-a-

global-language.html?_r=0>.

“Self-Defense” [Def.1]. In Merriam Webster Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster,

n.d. Web. 28 September 2017.

<https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-defense> (September

28th, 2017, 10.16 p.m.)

Smith, Ivan. Freud - Complete Works. 2000, 2007, 2010.

Wijayanti, Octovida. "The Influence of Setting toward Santiago's Characteristics as

seen in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist." Undergraduate Thesis. Yogyakarta:

Sanata Dharma University, 2007.


https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psyche

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-defense

santiago’s psyche and self-defense mechanism …

Documents