I think it’s offering background info Bc it’s not really explaining anything, just telling you to imagine that time period
The statement that best explains how Melchizedek impacts the story in The Alchemist is the second one: "As a wise mentor, Melchizedek helps the boy gain new information by telling the boy about the Personal Legend." The Personal Legend is one of the most popular concepts to be found in Paulo Coelho's literary works. It is about everybody having a certain mission on Earth and also that if you really want to complete it, the Universe will conspire in your favor. Gaining such knowledge impacted Santiago's life in an undescribable way, since it made it clear to him that he should go after his treasure, to be found in Egypt, according to what he'd heard in a dream. In other words, finding such treasure was his Personal Legend. The last statement must be ruled out, since Melchizedek didn't give Santiago any jewels; he only advised the boy to sell his sheep in order to travel to Egypt.
A general dissucion of ideas
I’m not completely sure but I h try ink it has something to do with “before his imprisonment” and “while in prison”
