How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I have watched the caravan as it crossed the desert," he said. "The caravan and the desert speak the same language, and it's for that reason that the desert allows the crossing. It's going to test the caravan's every step to see if it's in time, and, if it is, we will make it to the oasis." (2.169)
Here, Santiago personifies the desert, talking about it as though it's a sentient being with the power to observe and also to react to what it observes, taking a part in writing history. Um, creepy much? We don't really want our deserts to be sentient; they're deadly enough as it is.
Quote #2
"I'm a desert woman, and I'm proud of that. I want my husband to wander as free as the wind that shapes the dunes." (2.296)
In this simile, Fatima compares Santiago to the wind: from nowhere, tied to no place, and free to fulfill its natural destiny. The natural world provides a model for human relations. Sure, sounds great—right until you need your husband to take out the trash.
Quote #3
As the Englishman stared out at the desert, his eyes seemed brighter than they had when he was reading his books. (2.297)
Lol bookworm. When the Englishman finally gives up relying on books and looks to nature instead, he seems more alive. Take a hint, kids: there's more to learn from observing the world and taking action than just reading. Although we're not sure that excuse will work on your math teacher.