By The Waters Of Babylon Literary Analysis

Throughout John’s quest in the short story, “By the Waters of Babylon” by Stephen Vincent Benet, the consequences of knowledge are reflected by the setting. Set in the future, John’s homeland is disguised to lead the reader to believe the story is in fact, in the past. East of his home, “Dead Places” are considered dangerous and must not be entered unless the character is a priest or the son of a priest. The bones and barren materials of these “Dead Places” keeps the people at bay and stuck in a superstitious state. John, the son of a priest, still feels troubled after traveling there with his father in search of metal. The setting changes as John is sent on a journey further east of the “Dead Places” to gather information on a mysterious