The Alkahest

** "The Alkahest" by Honoré de Balzac is a compelling story from the 1800s that revolves around some very important concepts. Our story is centered on Balthazar Claes and his wife, Josephine, and looks at fixation, knowledge-seeking, and how dreams can affect a family's world. We watch Claes chase after the Philosopher's Stone—something folks thought could turn cheap metal into gold. The narrative starts by showing us the Claes' fancy old house, filled with Flemish heritage. Initially, we get a feel for the Claes family who seem like people to be admired. But, as Balthazar gets lost in his science, forgetting about his family and what he needs to do, Josephine starts to feel sad and worried about what is to come. This marks the splitting apart of the relationship. **