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By The Water Of Babylon Analysis

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Introduction: The story “By The Water Of Babylon”, written by Stephen Vincent Benet, has a plethora of aspects of literary elements that depict the story. The following analyzes the story using the seven elements of fiction. Setting: The story takes place around New York, a plethora of generations after a fatal war came around, which desolated civilizations. A reason that contribute to why the author chose NY is because it is an urban place and it has numerous technological advancements. A tribe was able to survive and carry on their legacy. This tribe inhabited in a countryside west of a river (the Hudson River or Ou-dis-sun as referred to in the narrative). Life for people was certainly straightforward and simple, this was because the war …show more content…

Consequently, the civilization is not as ingenious and advanced as we were precedent. The title hints as to where the location of where the story is taking place, “By The Water Of Babylon”, Babylon is a city in New York. The story 's main character John, (son of a priest) was on an expedition to become a “man” (also a priest). The rules that were fundamental are simply as follows: never go east and cross the river. The reason being is that the gods, (as referred to in the story, they were just humans with knowledge) lived there. John was patiently lingering for a sign to unravel which direction he should go so he can commence his journey. All the signs directed him …show more content…

A trait that John acquires (curiosity) gives him the desire to travel on a forbidden expedition east and to cross the river and witness the “gods”, although he knows the consequences that he may face. In the story, it states “...three deer passed in the valley going east...I followed them, at a distance, waiting for what would happen. My heart was troubled about going east, yet I knew that I must go...”. This portrays curiosity getting the best of John. This internal conflict enhances the reader’s apprehension of the character and creates the suspense and interest that keeps you hooked and continue

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The “Waters Of Babylon” is an optimistic story. The story revolves around the protagonist John as he makes his way to the forbidden “Place of the Gods”. Once in the Place of the Gods he realizes that this place was not inhabited by Gods but instead by humans (page 8). After this epiphany, John understands that his people could accomplish the achievements from past. On page 8 he says, “Nevertheless we make a beginning . . .

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