Eliyahu casts his mantle towards Elisha, not only signaling that Elisha is going to become a prophet, but also implying that Elisha is destined to inherit Eliyahu's own role as the prophet of his generation. However, the Divine command previously indicated that God has chosen as Eliyahu's successor a prophet whose attitude is different from Eliyahu's, and is tasked with correcting the zealousness in Eliyahu's approach. It is difficult to find so stark a contrast as that between the prophetic activity of Eliyahu and the prophetic activity of Elisha.

Contrast Between Eliyahu and Elisha
Prophetic Mission
Prophetic Styles
Eliyahu's Mantle
Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion