I just finished reading "By the Waters of Babylon" by Stephen Vincent Benet and I have no idea what any of it means. I don't understand where the narrator came from (i mean from what country or state), what the metal is that the priests take from the houses of the Dead, and what New York City has to do with any of it. Can anyone please explain this to me or point me in the direction of a reliable source? Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated!

Question

I just finished reading "By the Waters of Babylon" by Stephen Vincent Benet and I have no idea what any of it means. I don't understand where the narrator came from (i mean from what country or state), what the metal is that the priests take from the houses of the Dead, and what New York City has to do with any of it. Can anyone please explain this to me or point me in the direction of a reliable source? Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated!

This may help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By_the_Waters_of_Babylon

=)

Thank you very much!!! :)

Answer 1

You're welcome! I'm glad to assist you. The story "By the Waters of Babylon" by Stephen Vincent Benet is a dystopian post-apocalyptic fiction set in a future where civilization as we know it has collapsed. Now, let's address your questions one by one:

1. The narrator's origin: The story does not explicitly state the specific country or state the narrator comes from. However, we can infer that the story takes place in what was once the United States. The physical landmarks mentioned, such as the Hudson River and the remains of famous buildings like the Queensboro Bridge in New York City, suggest that the setting is in North America.

2. The metal taken by the priests: In the story, the priests of the protagonist's tribe venture into the Dead Places, which are ruins of the previous civilization. They collect metal artifacts from these places because they believe it possesses great power and knowledge. This metal is likely a representation of advanced technology and scientific advancements that existed before the downfall of civilization.

3. New York City's relevance: In "By the Waters of Babylon," New York City holds significant symbolism. The narrator, who is undergoing a journey of self-discovery and exploration, seeks to uncover the truth about the past. He refers to New York City as the "Place of the Gods" and desires to understand what happened there. The city's mention signifies the hub of human civilization that used to exist but is now reduced to a ruined, devastated state.

If you want further analysis and insights into the story, you can also refer to the link you provided (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By_the_Waters_of_Babylon). It is a reliable source that can offer more comprehensive information about the story, its themes, and interpretations.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!