The Alchemist

While this is not the first time I have read the book, I am still moved by Coelho's words. It seems with the turning of the pages and the distance of Santiago's journey, the author instills these little bits of wisdom throughout the text.  As you read, keep note of quotations that are particularly inspirational or eye-opening for you. A question on the 2004 AP Lit. exam asks students to answer the following question: "Critic Roland Barthes has said, 'Literature is the question minus the answer. ' What is the central question the work raises and to what extent if any is the question answered."

Consider some of these quotations as you search for the question and the answer the text may or may not provide.  Also, feel free to include your own quotations.  These are just some of my favorites from the first few pages:

Pg. 10 "I couldn't have found God in the seminary, he thought, as he looked at the sunrise."
Pg. 11 "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."
Pg. 15 "It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only the wise men are able to understand them."
Pg. 16 "Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own."
Pg 18 " 'What 's the world's greatest lie?' the boy asked, completely surprised.
          'It's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie.' "

Welcome Seniors! Class of 2013!

This is my test run of the blog. I just want to make sure that everyone has access to the blog and is able to post.  The first book we are reading for the month of June is the Alchemist.  What I'd like you to do is post a message greeting your fellow AP students and just let us know if you have started the book and if so, what page are you on? 

If you haven't set up a Gmail account, we will be using many of Google's tools this fall. It will be beneficial for you to do this.  Once you get an account set up, please let me know your address.  You can send the message to my Gmail account or school address.

Happy Reading! I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer!
MA