The Prophet · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Prophet by Khalil Gibran.

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Chapter 1
Epigraph
The epigraph, a quote from Claude Bragdon, introduces the Prophet Almustafa as a figure whose spiritual power originates from a universal source, while his unique linguistic expression of that power is his own.
Chapter 2
The Prophet
Almustafa, the chosen and beloved prophet, has waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship to return. On the day of his departure, the people gather and entreat him to speak before he leaves. Almitra, the seeress, asks him to share his wisdom. Almustafa delivers a series of poetic discourses on the fundamental aspects of human life, including love, marriage, children, giving, work, joy and sorrow, and death. After his teachings, he descends the temple steps, boards his ship, and bids farewell to the people. As the ship departs eastward, Almitra stands alone on the seawall, watching him leave.
Chapter 3
The Coming of the Ship
Almustafa, after twelve years in Orphalese, sees his ship arriving and prepares to depart, feeling both joy and sorrow. The people gather to entreat him to stay, and Almitra asks him to speak his truth before he leaves.
Chapter 4
On Love
Almitra asks Almustafa to speak of love, and he delivers a profound discourse on love's transformative and often painful nature, describing how love crowns, crucifies, threshes, and grinds the soul to reveal its deepest secrets, and warning against seeking only love's peace while urging surrender to its powerful, self-sufficient course.
Chapter 5
On Marriage
Almustafa responds to Almitra's question about marriage, teaching that while partners are born together and remain united even after death, they must maintain individuality and space within their union. He uses metaphors of pillars, trees, and musical instruments to illustrate the balance between togetherness and separateness.

Epigraph

The Prophet

The Coming of the Ship

On Love

On Marriage