Alchemy and the Individuality of Time

     Alchemy, which is defined as, "The medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir," plays an imperative role in Chiang's The Merchant and the Alchemist. The act of transforming base metals into gold is symbolic in this text as this definition runs parallel to Hassan and Ajib. In other words, over time a person can become a shinier and newer version of themselves. Through the use of Hassan and Ajib, it is evident that alchemy and time takes a different toll on everyone, and the outcome may not be gold, rather it's catered to every individual. 

    By given the chance of being able to travel through the Gate of Years, each character is given the chance to travel toward the future or back in time. Beginning with Hassan, a poor rope-maker, decides to travel twenty years into the future. Once a young man full of misfortune, Hassan is then guided by an older version of himself who leads him to treasure, which is the catalyst of his wealthy future. Although Hassan's story is enticing as it makes the Gate of Years seem like a lucrative fantasy, in actuality, the Gate has nothing to do with Hassan's luck. "Allah rewards those he wishes to reward and chastises those he wishes to chastise. The Gate does not change how he regards you," (Chiang 25). The Gate is not responsible for transforming those who enter into gold, instead it is predetermined by fate. Those who are like Ajib do not understand that stepping through the Gate will immediately bless you with good fortune. In fact, this is completely impossible. Not everyone can undergo the same experiences, as time affects each person differently. Every action and decision one makes is intentional, because their future has already been set. 

    Unlike Hassan, Ajib's future self has not fulfilled his desires and greed. By stealing from his future self, Ajib ultimately ends up with nothing. By having Ajib try to outsmart time rather than run its course due to selfishness and impatience, Chiang shows that time is not forgiving. Just because one person was given good fortune by time does not mean it will reward everyone else the same way. Just as Bashaarat said, fate and the higher power who controls it will reward and punish when they see fit. Ajib tried to take advantage of time and gain the experience as Hassan, but time cannot turn us all into gold. Those who successfully undergo the process of alchemy are the ones who do not bend the rules and respect the boundaries of time. The Gate of Years is not intended to change time, because it was created as a tool to help navigate the past and future. 

    Time and fate are not able to be changed in order to meet a certain expectation. Time is intimate and unique to each person as it paves a different path for each individual. Like the concept of alchemy, time also has the ability to transform some into gold if they respect the nature of the clock. Chiang uses alchemy and the Gate of Years to show the success and implications of how individuals decide to work with fate. While some will attempt to challenge time and move the clock's hands in any direction that they may please, others will coexist with time and attempt to learn from it. All in all, the effects of time is completely dependent on an individuals sense of self and ability to accept their fate– no matter the outcome. 











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