What is the importance of romantic love in The Alchemist?

I love this
question. Thanks for posting. I think the idea of romantic love shouldn't necessarily be
confined to that of being between a woman and a man. In the story, there is a romantic love (in
the traditional meaning) between Santiago and Fatima. But is there more to it than that? (Nice
loaded question, huh?) The whole thrust of the story is how romantic love has the potential to
drive one toward his or her dreams. While on the periphery it appears that Santiago is driven by
his love for Fatima, perhaps it's more than that alone. For isn't a deep love of oneself that
helps fuel us toward our desires too? Is it only for Fatima that Santiago that he subjects
himself to risk and self-doubt? Could we go so far as to say that romantic love is really just a
realization of any matter of the heart? Santiago loves Fatima because inside of him is a heart
longing to be heard. She helps bring this out and therefore is the outwward manifestation of
this so-called "inner" romantic love. Like the major theme of , this love was there
all the time. Great question. I hope this helps.