Maktub

Throughout The Alchemist the word maktub is used repeatedly by many different characters. The word, defined by the Crystal Merchant to Santiago, means "it is written" (59). The word is generally used when Santiago is about to start a new quest or a new journey in his life. It almost seems like an assurance to Santiago, letting him see the bigger picture and helping him remember the role of fate. As we learned in class, fate tends to cooperate with the hero who is achieving his quest. "It is written" (59) seems to mean it is written in your future, which reinforces the idea of the Soul of the World and the Hand that Wrote All, or the idea of God.