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By The Waters Of Babylon By Stephen Vincent Benet

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“By The Waters of Babylon” is a short story written by Stephen Vincent Benet that explores the innate behaviors of human beings and describes the aftermath of a nuclear war. In the beginning of the story, the narrator, John, introduces a taboo that is normal amongst his tribe,“The Hill People.” This indigenous law states that it is forbidden to cross the great river and to look upon the Place of the Gods, for it was greatly populated with spirits and demons. As a manifestation of John’s step towards adulthood or priesthood, John embarks on his curiosity voyage to the Place of the Gods, defying the well established rule within their tribe. Upon his arrival, he stumbles on an elusive and isolated setting with advanced technologies, which he deemed magical. Due to John’s expedition, he accumulated a plethora of knowledge and soon realized that the Place of the Gods was only a superstition and it was, in fact, a city of men. setting As the story progresses, it became evident that the setting was a post nuclear apocalypse in New York City. The author utilized descriptions such as “high towers of the gods” and “great caves and tunnels” to describe skyscrapers and subways respectively.The author’s selection of the location highlights the complete difference of the …show more content…

In addition, the title itself, “By The Waters of Babylon” foreshadows the main idea and conflict imposed on John. The title is derived from a biblical reference in Psalm 137. Psalm resonates the lamentation of the Israelites for the lost of their homeland, Jerusalem. The catalyst of the exile of the people of Israel was over the control of Nebuchadnezzar II. In Benet’s short story, “The Hill People” are the survivors from a catastrophe that virtually obliterated New York City. Clearly, there is a parallel between the despair of both figures for the fall of their civilization, as well as their desire to

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