Faith

Joan of Arc Biography

Joan of Arc was born in 1412 Domremy, France. Legend says that she was born to auspicious signs held to be a forecast of national triumph.

From an early age Joan of Arc displayed a sensitive and religious temperament. It is said by friends that:

“She was greatly committed to the service of God and the Blessed Mary.” (1)

From the age of 12 she began to have mystical visions. In these visions she said she felt the voice of God commanding her to renew the French nation. At her later trial Joan of Arc said she felt these visions were as real seeing another person. The visions were often accompanied by light and the presence of saints such as St Michael and St Catherine. These visions made Joan of Arc even more religiously inclined she would frequently go to confession and whenever she heard the bells for Mass she would immediately drop her work and run to church.

Initially Joan did not tell others about her visions and inner commandments but in May 1428 the divine messages urged her to seek an audience with Charles de Ponthieu an ineffective leader of the Dauphins.

At the time of Joan’s childhood France was seriously divided. In 1415 King Henry V of England had invaded France and defeated the French army at Agincourt. This famous victory over the French nobility left the country weak and divided. The main divisions were between the Dauphins and English supporting Burgundians.

Under Charles de Ponthieu the French were without direction and without a real leader. When Joan of Arc came to the court she overwhelmed Charles with her passion and conviction. It is quite remarkable that this 17 year old peasant girl was, as a consequence, given control over an army and allowed to lead them into battle. Within a year Joan of Arc had led the French army to victories at Orleans, Patay and Troyes. Many other towns were also liberated from English control and it allowed a triumphal entry into Dauphin for the coronation of King Charles VII on 17 July 1929.

For her exploits and leadership Joan of Arc and her family were granted noble status. She has also won the hearts of the French soldiers who looked up to Joan as an almost mythical leader. However a year later Joan was captured by the Burgundian forces at Compiegne and sold to the English. Her trial is well documented and provides a revealing insight into her character and destiny. The English and English supporting clergy decided to put her on trial for witchcraft. In many ways it was a show trial with the result cleverly orchestrated by Pierre Cauchon. Pierre Cauchon was a staunch supporter of the British and hated Joan of Arc for her miraculous revival of French national pride. Joan was found guilty and condemned to death by burning at the stake. Faced with such an overwhelming ordeal Joan broke down and confessed. However a week later she regained her strength and recanted her confession. She was able to face her ordeal with dignity. It is said that over 10,000 people came to see her execution by burning. Her ashes were scattered in the Seine. One legend tells how her heart remained unaffected by the fire.

26 years later the English were finally driven from Rouen and in a later inquest she was declared to be officially innocent and was officially designated to be a martyr. She was canonized a saint in 1920 and remains the patron saint of France.

Joan of Arc achieved a remarkable achievement in her short life of 19 years. In particular she embodied religious devotion with great bravery and humility.Joan of Arc is a great example of a universal idea that transcends all time and cultures, faith. In fifteenth century france life was very tough, Joan was in a time period where the country was weak and divided after Henry 5th invaded France. This means she had to have a lot of faith to lead the French armies into batte, when she was only a seventeen year old girl. It alos illuminates that French had faith in her to follow her to death. She was probably the first and youngest female commander ever. This is only because she had faith in her god to follow directions to seek an audience with Charles de Pontheiu. If she never would've done so many of their battles fought might not have been victorious. Evidence reaveals that she was a truly magnificent woman, one to look up to in seemingly hopeless situations. And with a little faith, anyone anywhere can do anything.

Fate is a Lie

Destiny

Destiny rests peacefully among the desert stars

Concealed in robes of wind

Waiting patiently to be found



In Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" he enlightens us with the knowledge that Fate is a lie. He explains that you have a choice, but your destiny is what you've always wanted to do. And someday if you try you can finally reach your destiny, thus "Waiting patiently to be found" as it explains in the poem. When you want to try something new in life, or you change paths the "winds of change" comes. This is why Destiny is "Concealed in robes of wind", Because you need to change to achieve your destiny. The desert is full of omens and signs to lead you to your "Celestial" path alas,"among the desert stars". This poem is relevant to all time periods because everyone believes there is something you've always wanted to do, even if they don't believe in destiny. This poem shows you the significance of destiny

The Key

Joseph McKinley
September 18, 2009
Humanities Pink
Ms.Snively
A Man’s Dream
“I’ve seen how the guides read the signs of the desert, and how the soul of the caravan speaks to the soul of the desert.”(Coelho PG. 76) This passage is spoken by Santiago when he is speaking of how the desert speaks it’s own language. Santiago is the main character in Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist”, trying to find his destiny on his life’s journey. Throughout the book Santiago will embark upon a journey traveling to Africa through Tangier, to the magnificent Pyramids of Egypt, and back to Andalusia. Along his journey he will meet his true love, and many people who teach Santiago important life lessons. Santiago is portrayed as a young man who is passionate, wise, and courageous, and these three traits help him achieve his destiny.

Santiago’s passionate personality leads him towards his destiny. For example, if it weren’t for Santiago’s passion for the Moorish girl he met in the beginning of the book then he never would’ve returned to her, thus Santiago would never have met Melchizedek. In addition Santiago’s love for Fatima helps him persevere on till he reached the pyramids, blowing kisses on the wind, which reminded him of her. A passage from the story that shows what his is for is, “He recognized that he was feeling something he had never felt before; the desire to live in one place forever. With the girl with the raven hair, his days would never be the same again.” It is shown here that his true desire is shown right from the beginning of the novel. It is this desire that motivates Santiago to achieve his destiny, because he wants to be with Fatima. With passion Santiago moves toward his goal, but he also must rely on courage

As Santiago pursues his destiny, one of his most helpful traits is courage. When he leaves the oasis he comes upon the Alchemist. Intended to intimidate him, Santiago replies confidently. Since Santiago proved his courage the Alchemist taught him all he knew, helping him reach the pyramids and his destiny. Furthermore Santiago decided to accomplish the difficult task of crossing the Sahara Desert instead of returning to Andalusia when he has enough money in the crystal shop. He knows that the Sahara is thousands of kilometers, but yet he still goes for it knowing it will be a long and daunting task. This pays off for leading him to the oasis, meeting Fatima, the Englishman, and the Alchemist who helps him grasp the slippery hand of his destiny. One more piece of evidence that proves his courage is. “I’m not afraid of failing. It’s just that I don’t know how to turn myself into the wind.” Santiago isn’t afraid of death, he doesn’t let fear drive or motivate him. When he is able to concentrate then he can communicate with the “soul of the world”. This proves that Santiago courage lets him concentrate on the omens and not let fear distract him. He can only get so far with courage, but to go all they way he must have wisdom.

Santiago’s wisdom leads him to read omens, see deep into men’s hearts, and reach his own destiny. Evidence shows this because he is wise enough to read and recognize omens. This benefits him because he is able to read the flight of hawks. Thus knowing the oasis is in danger. As Santiago warns them, Fatima is saved and The Alchemist sees he is capable of achieving his distant daydreams. Santiago will be able benefit and learn from the Alchemist because he is wise enough to understand and interpret his messages. Such as when the Alchemist tells Santiago that life is attracted to other life, he is wise enough to know that he should let the horse find life. A passage that truly shows his own magnificent wisdom and spirituality is, “The boy reached through to the soul of the world, and saw that it was a part of the soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul.” Santiago has realized that it is he who performs miracles, and has discovered the secret to Alchemy. At this point in the story he knows the language of the world and is able to carry out god’s work, not just achieving his own destiny but helping others achieve their own destinies. This is saying something about Santiago.

Santiago was lead to his own final and immeasurable destiny, but realized it was actually where he started. Santiago incredibly reached his beneficial peak of his existence, from himself. Not from his weaknesses but his strengths. His passion took him unto Fatima. She took his hand and lit the way unto the starry depths of his own mind, letting him find himself, and the way to his chosen destiny. Courage magnificently marched across guiding Santiago and changing him, from a young boy lost in his dreams to a brave man concentrating on the soul of the world. His immense knowledge and wisdom gave him the ability to communicate with god and help others reach their’ destinies. If you are trying to reach your destiny or accomplish you dreams you can, because the story is saying everyone can perform miracles if you try. All you have to do is try, like the Englishman says. Try and you will succeed.


A character trait that will help me on my way through life, and one that has quite frequently already helped me achieve success, is patience. One of the problems with my life is that I rush into things, not careful to observe or plan before I start on things. I know that every time I detail and work worthwhile on homework and tests, I get a better grade.For instance one time I had to do an art project, I wanted to get it over with. I was the first one in the class to get it done, and when everyone else had finished I had the sloppiest, hastiest work in the class. So I've learnt I need to hold out on things and to plan. So I can't see why this can't be applied to when I am an adult. When I start a career I can use patience to make smart decisions in life. Patience is the key.