“Do what your heart tells you to do regardless of external circumstances” (Elliott Hulse). In a wide variety of literature, authors relate to their own experiences and life lessons to better convey the ideas behind what is being told in the story. Viewing an author's work through a biographical lens allows the reader to gain a better understanding of the article through their understanding of the author's background. While critics analyze the writing from a biographical perspective, they "connect the author's life and thoughts to his works" (Blackmon 1), and in analyzing The Alchemist from this perspective, one would analyze very probably the links between Santiago's life and this one. by the author Paulo Coelho. Using connections to his own life, Paulo Coelho illustrates the importance of following your dreams and the steps you need to take to find your personal legend. Paulo Coelho expresses the importance of the knowledge Santiago gained in The Alchemist by relating it to the information he learned. throughout his life. This knowledge is clearly demonstrated when the old woman teaches Santiago an important life lesson: “It is the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only the wise are capable of understanding them” (Coelho 15). Coelho uses it to show the steps that Santiago must take to obtain his Personal Legend, thanks to this knowledge and the fact that this woman is one of the omens, this makes it one of his steps in life. . Susan Sylvia also uses this theory of Coelho's connection in her critique when she states, "Coelho's own experiences are imitated in Santiago's journey to find his personal legend" (Sylvia 1). Sylvia believes there is a connection between... middle of paper...... understanding that writing was his dream, they sent him to a psychiatric hospital, where he underwent electroshock therapy » (Sylvia 1). Coelho escaped from the psychiatric hospital 3 times, demonstrating that the obstacle to take this step was worth it to get closer to his personal legend; be a writer. It is important to have something stolen because it shows determination when you get it back and better. Through the life experiences, journey and knowledge acquired by Coelho, he allowed himself to understand that it is very important to follow your own dreams. Clearly, he was thriving, overcoming the obstacle of flight and finding his personal legend. To share this and convey this message to his readers, Paulo Coelho creates The Alchemist and uses Santiago's story to bring his own experiences to life..