By the Waters of Babylon

In Stephen Vincent Benét's "By the Waters of Babylon," the term "UBTREAS" is a fragment of a broken sign John encounters while exploring New York City, originally reading "SUBTREASURY." This sign,...

Irony in "By the Waters of Babylon" is evident when the protagonist, John, discovers that the "gods" of the Place of the Gods were actually humans whose advanced civilization was destroyed. This...

There are a number of examples of foreshadowing in "By the Waters of Babylon," some of which are the fact that metal cannot be touched, which is indicative of a nuclear disaster that has taken place,...

The tone in "By The Waters of Babylon" is reflective and contemplative, while the mood is mysterious and foreboding. The use of imagery vividly depicts the post-apocalyptic setting, enhancing the...

In Stephen Vincent Benét's "By the Waters of Babylon," the "Place of the Gods" is revealed to be a post-apocalyptic New York City, destroyed by nuclear war. Initially revered by John's people as...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John, of the Hill People, notes that his community is slightly more advanced than the Forest People. The Forest People, unlike the Hill People, eat grubs, have lost...

"Ashing" refers to a statue of George Washington in the Place of the Gods, the destination of John, the protagonist in Stephen Vincent Benét's post-apocalyptic short story. This statue is mistakenly...

The title "By the Waters of Babylon" alludes to Psalm 137, reflecting a sense of loss and longing. In the story, this mirrors the Hill People's loss of their advanced civilization due to a...

Ideas for a sequel to "By the Waters of Babylon" include John gradually sharing his newfound knowledge with his people, highlighting their advancement or resistance to the truth. One scenario could...

The plot of "By the Waters of Babylon" follows John's journey of self-discovery in a post-apocalyptic world. Key events include John's decision to explore the forbidden Place of the Gods, his...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," significant symbols and literary elements include the ruins of New York City, representing the remnants of a once-great civilization and the dangers of technological...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John embarks on a transformative journey to the forbidden "Place of the Gods," revealed as the ruins of New York City. He discovers remnants of advanced civilization,...

John's father is reluctant for him to share his learnings about the gods because he fears the knowledge is too dangerous and that people are not yet ready to understand the truth. He believes that...

John sings the death song in "By the Waters of Babylon" because he anticipates his own death upon crossing the river to the Place of the Gods. Despite his fears, he feels a compelling internal drive...

Though the story has many flashbacks, they are not confusing. The story begins with a frame narrative and then returns to it often. Because of this, the sense of linearity is preserved throughout the...

The significant river in "By the Waters of Babylon" is the Hudson River, referred to as "Ou-dis-sun" by the protagonist, John. The river is a central clue revealing that the story unfolds in a...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," three main prohibitions govern John's society: it is forbidden to go east, to enter the Dead Places unless searching for metal as a priest, and to cross the great river...

Clues suggesting a post-nuclear New York setting in "By the Waters of Babylon" include the dangerous metal, numerous Dead Places, the term "newyork," and the "gods" dying in everyday positions. The...

John describes various objects in the apartment, including floor coverings (carpets or rugs), soft chairs, and wall pictures, notably a pointillist painting of flowers. He notes a bird figure made of...

The narrator and his father can touch metals from the Dead Places because they are priests, or in the narrator's case, the son of a priest. In their culture, only priests or their sons may handle...

The Hill People in "By the Waters of Babylon" live primitively compared to the advanced civilization of the Place of the Gods. The Hill People rely on hunting, fire for warmth, and have limited...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John discovers an object labeled "hot" and "cold" in an abandoned house, which he interprets as remnants of the gods' magic. This object is actually a sink, with...

The use of figurative language and literary devices in "By the Waters of Babylon" enhances the narrative by creating vivid imagery and deepening the themes. Metaphors and symbols help convey the...

The first-person point of view in "By the Waters of Babylon" immerses the reader in John's experiences and thoughts, creating a personal connection. John's song adds a layer of cultural depth,...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John encounters significant artifacts in the Place of the Gods, which he later realizes is New York City. Notable locations include the ruins of buildings, a statue of...

"By the Waters of Babylon" uses figurative language through the protagonist John's first-person perspective, employing similes and metaphors that reflect his primeval, nature-centric worldview. This...

The last paragraph on page 45 of "By the Waters of Babylon" describes both internal and external conflicts faced by John. Internally, he struggles with the decision to travel east, confronting...

The author of "By the Waters of Babylon" uses John's perspective to immerse readers in the mystery and discovery process. John's youth makes him curious and willing to challenge societal norms, while...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," the "temple with its tunnels and caves" refers to the remnants of skyscrapers and subways. These structures symbolize the ruins of a once-advanced civilization, likely...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," only priests or priests-to-be can touch metal without harm due to a likely hereditary immunity or knowledge of purification methods. The story suggests the metal became...

John's actions in "By the Waters of Babylon" are not disrespectful because he breaks the law and his father's advice with a sense of duty and spiritual calling. His father tacitly accepts John's...

The sentence structure and language in "By the Waters of Babylon" reveal that John, the protagonist, is a direct thinker with limited education. His clipped sentence structure, frequent use of...

Text-to-text connections for "By the Waters of Babylon" include similarities with Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains," both depicting societies destroyed by war. Text-to-self connections...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John crosses the river by building a raft, driven by a mix of fear and determination. Despite his lack of understanding about rivers and their currents, he manages to...

In the story, the directions primarily symbolize different aspects of the world and knowledge. The east holds specific significance, symbolizing knowledge and the ways of the past, akin to the...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John's observations of the god roads, caves, and tunnels depict remnants of a destroyed New York City. He describes cracked and broken god-roads, which are actually...

The first-person point of view in "By the Waters of Babylon" enhances the narrative style by providing a limited perspective, which adds to the sense of mystery. The protagonist's discoveries and...

The beginning of "By the Waters of Babylon" introduces the protagonist, John, and establishes the post-apocalyptic setting. Key elements include John's journey of self-discovery and the strict...

John is characterized as mature, wise, and patient, valuing the careful rebuilding of society. He respects traditions but is inquisitive, bravely venturing into forbidden territories in pursuit of...

John's journey east is prompted by a series of signs, including an eagle and deer traveling east, convincing him to explore forbidden lands. He crosses the Hudson River on a raft to Manhattan,...

The author includes the narrator's out-of-body experience to reveal the truth about the past, showing that humans, not gods, were responsible for the destruction. This experience helps the...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," John learns to read from old books and writings left from a destroyed civilization, likely our own. Although the specific content of these books is not detailed, they...

John notices that the "drink of the gods" is likely liquor, as it is stored in glass bottles and makes his "head swim," indicating he becomes tipsy. This experience occurs as he explores the "city of...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," the boy finds food and drink preserved in glass jars and bottles, making them edible. These containers have kept the contents safe from spoilage, allowing the boy to...

John uses the water of an unnamed river to travel from his "primitive" village in the American Midwest to an abandoned New York City. The story is told by John, a young man who lives with his tribe...

John realizes his priestly calling early in the story, specifically in the third paragraph. As the son of a priest, he is a candidate for the priesthood, but he must pass two tests: being brave...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," the priest's statement "The law is not always the same shape" implies that laws and truths evolve over time. This reflects the idea that societal norms and beliefs must...

"By the Waters of Babylon" can be interpreted as either optimistic or pessimistic, depending on the reader's perspective. Optimistically, John is inspired to rebuild and believes in humanity's...

The settings in "By the Waters of Babylon" include a post-apocalyptic future landscape, starting in a forested area likely in present-day Pennsylvania. The protagonist, John, travels east through...

In "By the Waters of Babylon," metal serves primarily as a symbol of purity and ability, as only priests or their sons can handle it without harm, indicating readiness for priesthood. While its...