UV Journal of Research 2015 Human ethos of Paulo Coelho’s selected novels: A Critico-Thematic analysis Jhon Kevin A. Mirafuentes 1 Ma. Armelyn A. Alegria 2 Liza L. Chua 2 Nilda L. Arcipe 2 College of Teacher Education 1, 2 University of the Visayas, Philippines 1 University of Cebu, Philippines 2 aljhonnas_88@yahoo.com.ph ABSTRACT The study analyzes the patterns or themes of the ϐive (5) novels of Paulo Coelho, namely: The Alchemist, Brida, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, Eleven Minutes, and The Zahir. The study is primarily anchored on the 20th century Literary Humanism and supported by Expressivism. By these, the researchers utilize the critico-thematic analysis to determine the themes of the selected novels. The study also seeks the themes of human life as depicted in the selected novels and how these themes are enhanced by the use of Coelho’s personal writing techniques. The study ϐinds out that these novels portray not only the literal journey of the characters but also reϐlects the journey towards self-actualization through spiritual enlightenment and dream-realization. Thus, the study concludes that a man can fulϐill his or her destiny when he or she has contributed something to the world that can affect change. I. INTRODUCTION Art is a conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects or works. According to literary critic Shöyö (2013), it is something that gives man pleasure and improves his disposition. Literature, on the other hand, is a written art which expresses the signiϐicant human experience in well-chosen and arranged words. Therefore, when art and text blend, literature is born and from that literary acumen man’s philosophical, moral, and spiritual qualities are developed. Fenollosa (1908) as cited by Shöyö (1981) believed that art ultimately enhances life by the pleasure it produces. Thus, as a consequence, it construes delight and instruction that ultimately creates the experience of literature-and from that experience transpires the virtue of learning leading to a discerning reader’s multi-dimensional development. A novel, as a literary form of art, is a ϐictional piece of prose that is typically written in a narrative style and presented in a book form. With its voluminous form, it attempts to accurately imitate human nature as well as social conditions by realistically representing the mysteries embedded in man’s life in the society and the milieu that he lives. Its fundamental importance, Keywords: critico-thematic analysis, expressivism, human ethos, Paulo Coelho’s representative novels, literary humanism Date Submitted : September 1, 2015 Date Accepted: September 29, 2015