Analyzing Sentiments in Paulo Coelho’s Literary Works Using VADER Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment analysis, a prominent facet of natural language processing (NLP), is instrumental in discerning the emotional undercurrents in text. This study employs the Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner (VADER) to conduct an in-depth sentiment analysis of select novels by the celebrated Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho. Our research aims to unveil the intricate emotional nuances and narrative depths embedded within Coelho’s literary masterpieces, providing deeper insights into his unique storytelling style and thematic exploration. Through sentiment polarity analysis, we uncover the richness of emotion within Coelho’s works, with a spectrum spanning positive sentiments like hope and inspiration, predominantly found in novels such as “The Alchemist” and “By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept.” Simultaneously, we identify negative sentiments, including sadness and conflict, which add complexity to narratives, notably in “Brida” and “The Fifth Mountain”. These emotional facets are complemented by neutral sentiments, ensuring a balanced emotional landscape. Furthermore, our sentiment intensity assessment using VADER reveals varying degrees of emotional depth across Coelho’s novels, with “The Alchemist” and “Brida” standing out as emotionally intense, showcasing the profound nature of character journeys. This research not only illuminates the emotional dimensions of Coelho’s narratives but also demonstrates the utility of sentiment analysis tools like VADER in literary analysis. It bridges a crucial knowledge gap, highlighting the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration between literary scholars and computational linguists. Ultimately, this study enhances our appreciation of Paulo Coelho’s literary artistry, offering nuanced insights into the emotional landscapes of his novels while showcasing their universal resonance across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.