By the Waters of Babylon

Benét makes subtle references to famous New York City landmarks to draw the connection between the mythic Place of the Gods and the real city of New York. How does setting the story in a real city rather than a fictional one affect the text’s genre and impact?

How does John’s pursuit of knowledge follow the pattern of the hero’s journey? What dangers does he face, and what is his reward? Besides his hunger for knowledge, what other admirable and heroic qualities does the protagonist possess?

At the beginning of the story, John’s father is a strict enforcer of the Hill People’s rules, but by the end, he is proud of John’s journey despite it requiring him to break many laws. Is John’s father a static character or a dynamic one? If he is dynamic, what motivates his change in behavior and beliefs?

John has several interactions with wild dogs when he is in the Place of the Gods. What do these dogs represent?

John mentions the Forest People’s enmity with the Hill People multiple times. What traits distinguish the two cultures, and how do these differences contribute to the protagonist’s characterization?

Other than the fact that John’s father was a priest, what motivates John to pursue that calling? Is this motivation intrinsic, extrinsic, or a combination of the two?

What do the river and the raft that John builds represent? How do these symbols develop the theme of Coming of Age?

How does “By the Waters of Babylon” compare to other postapocalyptic literature you have read? Pick one other story that takes place during or after a catastrophic world event and compare and contrast the stories’ elements.