Blog Entry 2

I believe Kahlil Gibran is an excellent representation of Arab American culture. His book, "The Prophet," was very successful, translated into so many languages and is used today for celebrations including weddings and funerals. I felt sorry that Kahlil lost family members early on, and did not come from much money. He was not going to be rich from writing, "The Prophet." However, his stories are inspiring. I enjoyed the movie, and found the images of each story to be cultural. The stories were told through imagery, which is common in the Arab World. Each story about love, marriage, and death all were posed so beautifully. I liked how Al Mustafa was not afraid to be locked away or die. He seemed almost relaxed and comforted in knowing his afterlife. I liked when Almitra finally spoke. I knew she would at some point, but I kept waiting. I was happy that Almitra and her mother were able to protect his paintings and writings from the authority. In addition, I liked how when the town’s people were upset with Almitra for stealing, Al Mustafa made them settle down and be nice to the little girl. He protected her, and she wanted to protect him in prison and get him to escape. I also liked how well-respected Al Mustafa was in town. No one wanted to see him leave or be locked up or die. Everyone was rooting for him. To me, this makes me believe his stories were meaningful and inspired others. I feel as though Kahlil Gibran was clearly talented, but was able to use his success to impact the lives of others. I am glad we got a chance to learn about him in this class because I never heard of him prior. My mom says she has heard of the book, but I had not.