Shakib

Khalid

Childhood friends and fellow immigrants, sharing a deep bond of adventure and survival in New York.

Najma

Najma and Shakib are acquaintances, connected mainly through their mutual relationship with Khalid.

Im Hanna

Im Hanna treats Shakib like a second son, welcoming him into her home and caring for him.

Khalid

Childhood friends and fellow immigrants, sharing a deep bond of adventure and survival in New York.

Khalid

Childhood friends and fellow immigrants, sharing a deep bond of adventure and survival in New York.

Im Hanna

Im Hanna treats Shakib like a second son, welcoming him into her home and caring for him.

Im Hanna

Im Hanna treats Shakib like a second son, welcoming him into her home and caring for him.

Najma

Najma and Shakib are acquaintances, connected mainly through their mutual relationship with Khalid.

Book the First: In the Exchange

Khalid's companion in the new world, sharing in the initial disorientation and the struggle to adapt to American life.

I: Probing the Trivial

Khalid's intimate friend and disciple, who provides the Histoire Intime manuscript and speaks of Khalid's mysterious disappearance.

The City of Baal

The narrator's scribe, who provides the stories of Khalid's past and influences his decision to head West, seeing the sunset as a call from the New World.

III: Via Dolorosa

Observes Khalid's transformation, noting his first dream, pensive mood, and tear.

On the Wharf of Enchantment

Marvels at the harbor and city; describes Khalid's melancholy; works as a peddler and records their experiences.

The Cellar of the Soul

Khalid's inseparable companion, who shares in his experiences and subtly guides his education by placing a grammar book in his dictionary.

VI: The Summer Afternoon of a Sham

Reconciles with Khalid after his disillusionment with atheism. He criticizes the atheist lectures and prefers traditional poetry, showing his religious and cultural loyalty.

In the Twilight of an Idea

Narrates the events, tries to persuade Khalid to return to peddling, and witnesses the burning of the box.

VIII: With the Houris

Khalid confides in him about his relationships; Shakib reports on the Medium's delight at Khalid's return.

Book the Second: In the Temple

Shakib is present in the chapter, witnessing Khalid's new path.

The Dowry of Democracy

Narrates Khalid's encounter with the Boss and expresses his own moralizing and nostalgia for home.

II: Subtranscendental

Visits Khalid in prison, is rejected by him, and later lends him money for the pushcart business. He also takes Khalid to a physician and buys his medicine.

III: The False Dawn

Also nostalgic, he plans to return to Syria to procure a Pashalic, and preserves Khalid's letters.

IV: The Last Star

Packs presents and his poetry manuscript, aspiring to political and literary fame; angered by the landlord's impersonal farewell card.

Priesto-Parental

Provides a detailed account of Khalid's troubles in Baalbek, offering him shelter and support.

Flounces and Ruffles

The narrator of the courtship account, providing the detailed and somewhat romanticized story of Khalid and Najma's relationship.

The Howdaj of Falsehood

Attempts to use his connections and money to free Khalid from prison but is unsuccessful.

The Kaaba of Solitude

Mentioned as being unable to know where Khalid has gone.

The Disentanglement of the Me

Mentioned as the recipient of Khalid's letters, though not present in the chapter.

III: The Self Ecstatic

Addressed by Khalid as 'O my Brother' in his philosophical outpourings.

V: Union and Progress

Narrates Khalid's disappearance and presumed suicide, composing a threnody and mourning his friend; later receives letters from Khalid.

A Dream of Empire

Mentioned in Khalid's earlier statement about the nature of enduring love.

VIII: Adumbrations

Accompanies Khalid, helps save him from the mob, and arranges for his escape.

The Stoning and Flight

Helps Khalid with the kaimakam, arranges passports, and accompanies the group in flight.

X: The Desert

Present in the desert camp, sharing the peaceful life with Khalid and Najma.

Al-Khatimah

Leaves the camp to live in Cairo, becomes poet-laureate to a pasha, and later suggests a consultation for Najib's illness.