How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Who is your friend?" the chief asked.
"An alchemist," said the alchemist. "He understands the forces of nature." (2.579-80)
Interesting. Up until now we've thought that an alchemist is someone who can change lead into gold, but here the alchemist is giving us a much broader definition that still includes the gold-creating powers. By this definition, Santiago is an alchemist too—someone who has observed and learned from the natural world.
Quote #8
Someone might one day plant trees in the desert, and even raise sheep there, but never would they harness the wind. (2.642)
Look, we know that humankind's relationship with weather isn't all sunshowers and rainbows. In fact, a lot of the time it's floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Santiago has to remember people may try to tame the desert, but they'll never dominate it completely.
Quote #9
"Nature knows me as the wisest being in creation," the sun said. "But I don't know how to turn you into the wind." (2.672)
Gee, Santiago, why do you ask the sun stuff it knows? Even the sun, the natural force that supposedly has the most wisdom, has never tried to do something so durn unnatural. But Santiago has learned enough to tap into the soul of the universe, so he ultimately succeeds. Yay Santiago!