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The Prophet (book)

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The Prophet is a celebrated collection of 26 prose poetry fables.

These writings were composed in English by Kahlil Gibran. He was a Lebanese-American poet and writer. This book stands as Gibran's most famous literary achievement. It remains one of the best-selling books in history. The work has never been out of print since its release.

Its enduring popularity is evident through its global reach. The Kahlil Gibran Collective notes it has been translated into over 100 languages.

The narrative follows a prophet named Almustafa. He has resided in the city of Orphalese for 12 years. A ship eventually arrives in the harbor to carry him home. The citizens of Orphalese feel a sense of loss at his departure. They gather in the great square before the temple to find him. A seeress named Almitra, who was the first to believe in him, asks him to address the crowd.

This request sets the stage for his final teachings.

Almustafa's speeches form the core of the book. He addresses a wide variety of themes regarding the human condition. The people ask him to speak on topics such as love, marriage, and children. He discusses the nature of giving, eating, and drinking. The fables also cover work, joy, and sorrow. He shares wisdom on houses, clothes, and the act of buying or selling.

He even addresses complex subjects like crime, punishment, laws, and freedom. Other themes include reason, passion, pain, and self-knowledge. He concludes his time with the people by speaking on friendship, time, and death.

Gibran began working on this project in 1912. He received his first motif for the work during that year. He published the book in 1923 through the publisher Alfred A. Knopf. The initial printing was ambitious but small, consisting of only 2,000 copies. Knopf sold 1,159 of those first books. Demand grew rapidly in the following years. Sales doubled in 1924 and doubled again in 1925.

By 1957, the book had sold its one millionth copy. Annual sales grew from 12,000 in 1935 to 240,000 in 1965.

Gibran's personal background deeply influenced his philosophical outlook. He was born a Maronite Christian. However, his work reflects influences from Islam and the Bahá’í Faith. He was also moved by the mysticism of the Sufis. His understanding of Lebanon's history of factional struggles shaped his views. This history strengthened his belief in the fundamental unity of all religions. His parents practiced this by welcoming people of various faiths into their home.

Gibran's connections to the Bahá’í Faith became particularly strong around 1912. He once met the leader 'Abdu'l-Bahá and felt deeply moved by the encounter.

Many artists and thinkers have found parallels in Gibran's work. Scholars have compared his poetry to the work of William Blake. His theological ideas share similarities with those of Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson. These connections include concepts such as reincarnation and the Over-soul. Gibran's artistic style was also a blend of many traditions. He drew from Arabic art and European Classicism, specifically the works of Leonardo da Vinci. He was also influenced by Romanticism and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

He even incorporated elements of modern symbolism and surrealism.

The legacy of The Prophet extends into various modern media. In 1974, Richard Harris performed a musical interpretation of the text. An unabridged audiobook was released in 1985. In 2009, the Australian oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros created an album inspired by the poetry. A significant animated feature film was released in 2014. This film was produced by Salma Hayek and featured direction from Roger Allers. Even political satire has touched the work, such as the 2010 book The Propheteer. Gibran's wishes regarding his work are also unique. He instructed that his royalties and copyrights be owned by his hometown of Bsharri, Lebanon. The Gibran National Committee manages these rights today.

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