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A review by raxorrr
The Broken Wings by Kahlil Gibran
3.0
3.5 stars
I was captivated by the flowery and poetic prose, the writing style is beautiful and hypnotic. however, at times, the frequent use of metaphors (especially the repetitive ones) felt somewhat redundant, slightly overshadowing the natural progression of the narrative.
I wanted to address this quote in my review. it has vivid imagery and paints a picture of the distinct destinies that belong to the two of them. however, it seems unfair, even misinformed, for the narrator to assert that his sufferings will be superior to hers. his path might be riddled with challenges, but he retains the freedom of movement, and most importantly, the freedom of finding love again. on the other hand, she faces a graver fate, being confined and symbolically representing the titular "broken winged" character. it seems self-centered of the narrator, one who adores Selma to underplay her plight in this way.
this story of Gibran also ventures into an interplay of culture vs. religion. he critiques those who cling to their cultural norms. it's essential to recognize that many of these "cultural" practices are deeply rooted in religious belief. while pushing boundaries and challenging conventions can be liberating, it's also crucial to inform yourself on how difficult a disentangling of religious beliefs from cultural practices is. it isn't as straightforward as simply breaking away. for instance, I quote,
I was captivated by the flowery and poetic prose, the writing style is beautiful and hypnotic. however, at times, the frequent use of metaphors (especially the repetitive ones) felt somewhat redundant, slightly overshadowing the natural progression of the narrative.
Tomorrow, destiny will put you in the midst of a peaceful family, but it will send me into the world of struggle and warfare. You will be in the home of a person whom chance has made most fortunate through your beauty and virtue, while I shall be living a life of suffering and fear. You will enter the gate of life, while I shall enter the gate of death. You will be received hospitably, while I shall exist in solitude.
I wanted to address this quote in my review. it has vivid imagery and paints a picture of the distinct destinies that belong to the two of them. however, it seems unfair, even misinformed, for the narrator to assert that his sufferings will be superior to hers. his path might be riddled with challenges, but he retains the freedom of movement, and most importantly, the freedom of finding love again. on the other hand, she faces a graver fate, being confined and symbolically representing the titular "broken winged" character. it seems self-centered of the narrator, one who adores Selma to underplay her plight in this way.
this story of Gibran also ventures into an interplay of culture vs. religion. he critiques those who cling to their cultural norms. it's essential to recognize that many of these "cultural" practices are deeply rooted in religious belief. while pushing boundaries and challenging conventions can be liberating, it's also crucial to inform yourself on how difficult a disentangling of religious beliefs from cultural practices is. it isn't as straightforward as simply breaking away. for instance, I quote,
Those who think evil of Selma Karamy because she left her husband's home and met me in the temple are the diseased and weak-minded kind who look upon the healthy and sound as rebels.
this quote is a literal contradiction in the author's perspective. while it attempts to challenge societal judgments, it also casts those who disagree as 'diseased and weak-minded.' this is a highly problematic mindset as dissenters of his outlook are dismissed as flawed, while his view is regarded as the ultimately correct one. by employing this mindset, not only does the author oversimplify the socio-cultural landscape but also ironically passes judgments on his initial critique. I wouldn't describe this as an inherent flaw in the book or something that diluted my reading experience, but I just found it somewhat self-righteous and contradictory.
I read The Prophet sometime last year and as beautiful as the writing was, it didn't resonate with me. The Broken Wings, on the other hand, appealed more to my preferences due to its narrative structure. however, being a translated work, I'm guessing some nuances were lost and my understanding was altered. I would still recommend it as a beginner-friendly classic.