Day 6: Secondary Characters

"The Englishman shook the boy: "Come on, ask her!" 

The boy stepped closer to the girl, and when she smiled, he did the same."

One of the things that I find most fascinating about The Alchemist is the enormous role in shaping the story that Coelho gives to his rich cast of secondary characters. Each of these people comes into Santiago's life, some for brief interactions and some in permanent ways, all with their own unique perspective and personal philosophy. It is in conversation with these other people about their world view that Santiago begins to understand more clearly how he sees the world and how he feels called to be in the world. Without the other characters, Santiago may have never found the most valuable part of his treasure: his vocation and identity. 

Which one of the secondary characters do you most identify with? Which of them do you think has the greatest impact on Santiago and his evolving sense of self?

Who are the most important secondary characters in your journey thus far? In what ways have they helped to shape your experience and your sense of yourself? Whose life do you play an important supporting role in?