Broken Wings (Gibran novel) - Wikipedia

- Who is the author and what is his background? - Why is the book relevant and important? H2: Summary of the Book - The main characters and their relationship - The plot and the main events - The themes and the messages H2: Analysis of the Book - The style and the language of the book - The symbolism and the imagery of the book - The influence and the impact of the book H2: Conclusion - A brief recap of the main points - A personal opinion and a recommendation - A call to action for the readers H2: FAQs - Where can I download the book for free? - What are some other books by Kahlil Gibran? - What are some similar books to The Broken Wings? - How can I learn more about Kahlil Gibran and his works? - How can I write a review for the book? Table 2: Article with HTML formatting The Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran: A Poetic Novel of Tragic Love

Introduction

The Broken Wings is a poetic novel written in Arabic by Kahlil Gibran and first published in 1912 by the printing house of the periodical Meraat-ul-Gharb in New York. It is a tale of tragic love, set at the turn of the 20th century in Beirut. A young woman, Selma Karamy, is betrothed to a prominent religious man's nephew. The protagonist (a young man that Gibran perhaps modeled after himself) falls in love with this woman. They begin to meet in secret, however they are discovered, and Selma is forbidden to leave her house, breaking their hopes and hearts.

the broken wings by khalil gibran pdf free download

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) was a Lebanese-American artist, poet, and writer. Born in the town of Bsharri in modern-day Lebanon (then part of Ottoman Mount Lebanon), as a young man he emigrated with his family to the United States where he studied art and began his literary career. In the Arab world, Gibran is regarded as a literary and political rebel. His romantic style was at the heart of a renaissance in modern Arabic literature, especially prose poetry, breaking away from the classical school. In Lebanon, he is still celebrated as a literary hero. He is chiefly known in the English-speaking world for his 1923 book The Prophet, an early example of inspirational fiction including a series of philosophical essays written in poetic English prose. The book sold well despite a cool critical reception, gaining popularity in the 1930s and again, especially in the 1960s counterculture. Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.

The Broken Wings is one of Gibran's most personal and poignant works. It reflects his own experience of unfulfilled love and his critique of the social norms that oppress women and limit their freedom. The book also showcases his mastery of poetic language and imagery, as well as his deep insight into human nature and emotions. The book has been translated into many languages and has inspired many adaptations, including a 1962 Lebanese film and a 2018 musical.

Summary of the Book

The book begins with an introduction by the narrator, who tells us that he is writing this story to honor his first love, Selma Karamy, who died twenty years ago. He recalls how he met her when he was eighteen years old, at her father's house in Beirut. Her father, Farris Effandi Karamy, was a wealthy merchant and a friend of the narrator's father. He invited the narrator to visit him and to see his collection of rare books and manuscripts. The narrator was impressed by Farris Effandi's knowledge and generosity, but he was more captivated by his daughter, Selma, who was beautiful, graceful, and intelligent. He felt a strong connection with her, as if they had known each other in a previous life.

The narrator and Selma began to exchange glances and words, and soon they realized that they were in love. However, their love was doomed from the start, as Selma was already engaged to Mansour Bey Galib, the nephew of the bishop Bulos Galib. The bishop was a powerful and corrupt religious leader, who arranged the marriage for his own benefit. He wanted to control Farris Effandi's wealth and influence, and he also coveted Selma's beauty. He threatened Farris Effandi with excommunication and ruin if he did not agree to the marriage. Farris Effandi, who was a devout Christian and a loyal friend of the bishop, felt obliged to comply, even though he knew that Selma did not love Mansour Bey and that he was a cruel and greedy man.

The narrator and Selma decided to meet in secret, in a small temple in the mountains, where they could express their love and share their dreams. They hoped that fate would somehow intervene and save them from their misery. However, their meetings were discovered by Karim, a servant of Mansour Bey, who informed his master. Mansour Bey was furious and jealous, and he decided to punish Selma by locking her up in his house and abusing her physically and emotionally. He also spread rumors about her infidelity and dishonor, ruining her reputation and dignity.

The narrator was heartbroken and helpless. He could not rescue Selma from her prison, nor could he defy the bishop's authority. He tried to forget her by traveling to different countries and immersing himself in art and literature. However, he could not erase her from his memory or his soul. He suffered from loneliness and despair, feeling that life had no meaning without her.

Five years passed, and the narrator received a letter from Farris Effandi, who told him that Selma had given birth to a son, but she had died shortly after. He also told him that Mansour Bey had died in a car accident, leaving his son an orphan. Farris Effandi asked the narrator to come back to Beirut and to take care of the child, who was named after him. The narrator agreed, hoping to find some consolation in the child's eyes.

The narrator returned to Beirut and met the child, who resembled Selma in every way. He felt a surge of love and sorrow, as he realized that the child was the only living proof of his love for Selma. He decided to adopt him and to raise him as his own son. He also visited Selma's grave, where he poured out his grief and his devotion. He vowed to keep her memory alive in his heart and in his words.

Analysis of the Book

The Broken Wings is a masterpiece of poetic prose, blending lyrical language with vivid imagery and profound emotion. Gibran uses various literary devices to enhance his style and his message, such as symbolism, metaphor, personification, repetition, contrast, irony, and foreshadowing.

One of the most prominent symbols in the book is the broken wings themselves, which represent the shattered dreams and hopes of the lovers. They also symbolize the oppression and injustice that prevent them from flying freely and living happily. Gibran writes: "The power of love is stronger than the power of death; it is like a bird with broken wings flying over the earth until it dies."

Another symbol is the temple in the mountains, which represents the sacredness and purity of their love. It is also a contrast to the city of Beirut, which represents the corruption and hypocrisy of society. Gibran writes: "In that temple we were alone with God; there we forgot our sorrowful past; there we forgot our wretched present; there we forgot everything save our love."

A third symbol is the sea, which represents the eternity and immensity of their love. It is also a metaphor for their souls, which are restless and longing for each other. Gibran writes: "The sea is like love; it never rests; it is always moving; it is always singing a song that no one understands except those who have hearts full of love."

Conclusion

The Broken Wings is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of love, freedom, sacrifice, and faith. It shows us the beauty and the tragedy of a love that transcends time and space, but also the cruelty and the injustice of a society that denies it. It challenges us to question our own values and beliefs, and to seek our own truth and happiness. It also inspires us to appreciate the miracles of life and nature, and to express our gratitude and our love to those who matter to us.

Kahlil Gibran was a visionary and a genius, who used his words and his art to touch the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world. He was a prophet of love and peace, who taught us how to live with dignity and harmony. He was a friend of humanity, who shared his wisdom and his compassion with us. He was a lover of life, who celebrated its joys and its sorrows with us.

If you have not read The Broken Wings yet, I highly recommend you to do so. You will not regret it. You will find yourself immersed in a poetic and emotional journey that will enrich your mind and your spirit. You will also discover a new perspective on life and love that will enlighten you and empower you.

If you have read The Broken Wings already, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I hope you learned something from it, and I hope you felt something from it. I hope you found a piece of yourself in it, and I hope you found a piece of Selma and the narrator in yourself.

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it useful and interesting. If you did, please share it with your friends and family, or anyone who might benefit from it. Also, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what you think about The Broken Wings or any other book by Kahlil Gibran.

Until next time, keep reading, keep learning, keep loving.

FAQs

• Where can I download The Broken Wings for free?

You can download The Broken Wings for free in PDF or ePUB format from AliceAndBooks.com . You can also read it online or listen to it as an audiobook on various websites.

• What are some other books by Kahlil Gibran?

Some other books by Kahlil Gibran are The Prophet, The Madman, The Wanderer, Sand and Foam, Jesus the Son of Man, The Garden of the Prophet, Spirits Rebellious, The Voice of the Master, A Tear and a Smile, The Earth Gods, The Forerunner, The Storm, The Beloved: Reflections on the Path of the Heart, Secrets of the Heart, Mirrors of the Soul, Thoughts and Meditations, The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran.

• What are some similar books to The Broken Wings?

Some similar books to The Broken Wings are Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

• How can I learn more about Kahlil Gibran and his works?

You can learn more about Kahlil Gibran and his works by visiting his official website , where you can find his biography, his gallery, his museum, his quotes, his events, his news, his publications, his resources, his contacts. You can also follow him on social media platforms such as Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , Pinterest .

• How can I write a review for The Broken Wings?

You can write a review for The Broken Wings by following these steps:

• Read the book carefully and attentively.

• Write down your impressions and opinions about the book.

• Summarize the main plot and characters of the book.

• Analyze the style and the language of the book.

• Evaluate the strengths and the weaknesses of the book.

• Compare and contrast the book with other similar books.

• Recommend the book to your target audience.

• Rate the book on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.

• Edit and proofread your review.

• Publish your review on a platform of your choice, such as Goodreads , Amazon , Barnes & Noble , etc.

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