By the Waters of Babylon (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Stephen Vincent Benét
- First Published: 1937
- Type of Plot: Science fiction
- Time of Work: The future
- Setting: New York area
- Principal Characters: The narrator, His father
- Genres: Short fiction, Science fiction
- Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Memory, Superstition, New York City, Future, Religion, Priests, Cities or towns
- Locales: New York
The Story
The Forest People compete with the Hill People, who have slightly more advanced skills in spinning wool, hunting, and using metals. The priests of the Hill People have not forgotten the old writings and have some knowledge of healing—such as how to stop bleeding. Bound by superstition and taboos based on experience, tribe members are forbidden to go east, cross the great river, enter the Dead Places, or touch metal not purified by priests. These strictures have been in force throughout tribal memory. In addition, the people fear spirits and demons and have an...
[The entire page is 1335 words long]
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