# The Farewell explained — The Prophet

> Chapter companion for The Prophet by Khalil Gibran.

## What happens

As evening falls, Almustafa descends the Temple steps and boards his ship. He delivers a final, profound discourse to the people of Orphalese, speaking of the vast man within them, the nature of love and truth, and the promise of his return. He then signals the seamen, the ship departs eastward, and only Almitra remains on the seawall, silently remembering his words.

## Themes in this chapter

### Life, Death, and Renewal

Almustafa speaks of death as a transformation, the return with the tide, and the promise of being born again through another woman.

### Freedom and Responsibility

The theme of the wanderer's necessity to leave, the wind's bidding, and the responsibility to fulfill one's journey despite love for the people.

### Joy and Sorrow Duality

Almustafa acknowledges knowing both the joy and pain of the people, and speaks of the vast man in whom both are contained.

## Character check-ins

### Almitra

The seeress who blesses the day and place; she remains silent and alone on the seawall after the ship departs, remembering Almustafa's promise.

### Almustafa

The central figure who delivers his farewell discourse, boards the ship, and departs eastward, promising to return.

## Key lines

> Was it I who spoke? Was I not also a listener?

Almustafa suggests that his words were not solely his own, but that he was also receiving them.

_Reflects the theme of interconnectedness and the flow of wisdom._

> We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us.

We are perpetual travelers, never staying in one place, always moving forward.

_Highlights the transient nature of the prophet's journey._

> A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind, and another woman shall bear me.

Soon, after a brief pause, I will be reborn through another mother.

_Almustafa's promise of return and renewal._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prophet_se/chapters/the-farewell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prophet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prophet_se/chapters