How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #7
When he looked into her dark eyes, and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke—the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. (2.256)
Now we're getting to the good stuff. All that talk about the universal language and the pure life are really just other ways of talking about love. And that gives love some serious heavyweight cred — it's not just hearts and chocolate and hugs and kisses; it's the universal language, the ultimate communication. Heavy, right? We're almost tempted to stick with the xs and os.
Quote #8
The man was speaking the language of alchemy. But the boy knew that he was referring to Fatima. (2.468)
We know all about metaphors at Shmoop, right? (If not, check out our Literature Glossary real quick.) That's what's going on here. The alchemist is comparing Santiago's relationship with Fatima to the work of the alchemist, trying to find gold in the common metals. Santiago thinks he's found the real deal in Fatima, and the alchemist tells him to have faith just like he would in an alchemy lab. Aw.
Quote #9
The bird knew the language of the desert well, and whenever they stopped, he flew off in search of game. (2.470)
We like to think of language as one of the things that separates the humans from the animals, but not Coelho: he mixes things up and lets animals into our exclusive club. Birds also have to read and interpret signs in order to find what they're looking for.