# IV: The Last Star explained — The Book of Khalid

> Chapter companion for The Book of Khalid by Ameen Rihani.

## What happens

As Khalid, Shakib, and Im-Hanna prepare to leave New York, Shakib packs gifts and his poetry manuscript, while Khalid reflects on his disdain for modern civilization and his longing for a more spiritual existence. The chapter captures their departure, including a dismissive farewell card from their landlord, and concludes with Khalid's philosophical musings on the 'last star' as a symbol of hope and individual will.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Modernity

Khalid's vivid denunciation of New York's noise and chaos, and his preference for a simpler, more spiritual life, highlight the theme's critique of industrial civilization.

### Spiritual Quest

Khalid's soliloquy about the 'last star' and his desire to find a land where the soul's purity is preserved reflect his ongoing spiritual search.

### Individual vs. Institution

Khalid's assertion that neither Church nor State, nor Science, can determine the meaning of the star, but only the individual will, underscores this theme.

## Character check-ins

### Khalid

Sits on his trunk, dreaming of leaving the 'pandemonium of Civilisation'; carries only a cigarette case, a locket, and a third-class passage; delivers a soliloquy on the 'last star' and the need for individual will.

### Shakib

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

### Im Hanna

Cooks the last dish of mujaddara as the group prepares for departure.

## Key lines

> O Phonograph, thou wonder of our time, Thy tongue of wax can sing like me in rhyme.

The phonograph is a marvel of the age, capable of reproducing my poetic voice.

_Example from Shakib's ode, illustrating the Modern School's fascination with science._

> O Brooklyn Bridge, how oft upon thy back I tramped, and once I crossed thee in a hack.

I have walked across the Brooklyn Bridge many times, and once rode across in a carriage.

_Another couplet from Shakib's poem, showing the blend of mundane experience and modern engineering._

> Balloons and airships, falling from the skies, Will be as plenty yet as summer flies.

In the future, balloons and airships will be as common as flies in summer.

_From Shakib's poem on modern science, predicting a future filled with aerial transport._

> Electricity and Steam and Compressed Air Will carry us to heaven yet, I swear.

I swear that electricity, steam, and compressed air will eventually transport us to heaven.

_A humorous yet earnest prediction from Shakib's ode to science._

> Mr. Isaac Goldheimer wishes you a bon voyage.

Your landlord sends his best wishes for a good trip via a card.

_The impersonal farewell that angers Shakib, highlighting the coldness of modern social conventions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters/iv-the-last-star
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_book_of_khalid_se/chapters