The Alchemist

by

Paulo Coelho

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The Merchant’s Daughter Character Analysis

The daughter of a merchant to whom Santiago sold some sheep. She is the object of Santiago’s affections at the beginning of the novel, and he impresses her with his stories. Although Santiago anticipates his return to her, the merchant’s daughter is forgotten when he sets out on his quest to actualize his Personal Legend. On his quest Santiago meets and falls in love with Fatima.
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The Merchant’s Daughter Character Timeline in The Alchemist

The timeline below shows where the character The Merchant’s Daughter appears in The Alchemist. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part One
The Pursuit of Your Personal Legend Theme Icon
Alchemy and the Value of Simplicity Theme Icon
...them. For the past few days he has spoken to them about only one thing: the daughter of a merchant who lives in a nearby village. Santiago met the girl the year before when he... (full context)
The Interconnectedness of All Things Theme Icon
Alchemy and the Value of Simplicity Theme Icon
...to the merchant, so the man asked him to wait. As Santiago waited, he read. The merchant’s daughter approached him and asked him about his reading. She wondered how he, a shepherd, learned... (full context)
Maktub and What is Meant to Be Theme Icon
The Interconnectedness of All Things Theme Icon
...Santiago will return to the same village. He is excited and looks forward to seeing the merchant’s daughter . He reflects that shepherds, like other wandering men, will always eventually find a town... (full context)
Maktub and What is Meant to Be Theme Icon
The Interconnectedness of All Things Theme Icon
Alchemy and the Value of Simplicity Theme Icon
...new every day. Santiago thinks that perhaps all people have this tendency. Since he met the merchant’s daughter , he has not thought of new women, but only repeatedly of her. Santiago does... (full context)
The Pursuit of Your Personal Legend Theme Icon
...pretending he’s busy reading. In fact, Santiago is imagining shearing his sheep in front of the merchant’s daughter . He is also trying to remember good stories to tell her. Most of his... (full context)
The Pursuit of Your Personal Legend Theme Icon
Maktub and What is Meant to Be Theme Icon
The Interconnectedness of All Things Theme Icon
...mother, and the name of the seminary Santiago attended. Santiago also reads the name of the merchant’s daughter , which he hadn't even known before, among other things that no one would be... (full context)
The Pursuit of Your Personal Legend Theme Icon
The Unimportance of Death and Fear Theme Icon
...would rather see their daughter marry a baker then a shepherd. Santiago thinks sadly of the merchant’s daughter . Melchizedek explains that other people’s opinions of his profession eventually became more important to... (full context)
The Pursuit of Your Personal Legend Theme Icon
The Interconnectedness of All Things Theme Icon
The Unimportance of Death and Fear Theme Icon
Santiago also considers the merchant’s daughter , but reflects that she does not depend on him like his sheep do, and... (full context)
Part Two
Maktub and What is Meant to Be Theme Icon
The Interconnectedness of All Things Theme Icon
Santiago also thinks about the merchant’s daughter , and feels certain that she has married someone else. He feels that his intuitive... (full context)