So what do you think?
Consider...
Did the references to the forbidden lands of the East make sense to you?
Did you know where you were? What do you think happened?
(Be careful--look up when the story was written before you jump to conclusions.)
Did you like it the same, more or less than Harrison Bergeron?
Explain, of course.
The Waters of Babylon didn't make sense to me at all. I read it over and I'm still confused. I didn't know what happened or where this short story takes place.On page 51, was the main character, John, just dreaming about the Gods? I was just confused the whole time when I was reading. I like Harrison Bergeron better then the Waters of Babylon because I could understand Harrison Bergeron. Also because I don't like reading stories that go too back into history. I'd rather read stories of the present or the future.
ReplyDeleteBy the Waters of Babylon was confusing for me when I first read it. I didn't know what the main character meant by The Place of the Gods and other places at first. I know he lives in a post-apocalyptic world, so something bad must've happened, and his people survived somehow. I don't understand why the most important job is as a priest in the society he lives in. I do get most of the plot of the story, though. It is a harder read than Harrison Bergeron because the things that the main character talk about are more unfamiliar.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Kelly. I read it over the weekend and I figured we would discuss it in class and that would clear things up for me. I read it again tonight and it still doesn't really make sense. What I picked up was that if you didn't die when you touched the metal found at the Dead Places you were a priest or the son of a priest. Even reading "Build Background" which stated that it was based on religion and that Babylon was the largest city of the ancient world it didn't clarify anything. Personally I did not like this story at all. The little that I got out of it included learning how to make a new beginning and use what you are given, getting in touch with the Gods and figuring things out for yourself and having the courage to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis story was harder to understand then Harrison Bergeron. I didn't realize that the story was set in America until I looked it up online. I don't understand how the world ending becuse the story was written in 1937 and nuclear bombs weren't invented until 1945. I didn't like the book as much as Harrison Bergeron.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else that the story was a little confusing. I understood most of the plot, but because I couldn't relate with it, it was hard to understand. Even knowing a little bit about Babylon and its background did not help much. Personally I liked Harrison Bergeron better. This was because it gave a more intersting plot, and other books that I have read some what relate with it.
ReplyDelete"By the Waters of Babylon" is probably one of my favorite short stories ever. It is an incredible take on what America might be like if we were wiped out in a war, leaving only a few survivors, who pretty much end up back in the stone age. At first I thought by traveling East across a great river it meant the Mississippi River, and the city was maybe Memphis or something. But in the end of course we realize it is New York City and the river crossed by John is the Hudson. But I think it's really cool how in depth it went, and how Benet really put us in the body of someone seeing all these things they thought were created by gods, which are actually just normal people. But it's realistic, they wouldn't be able to know what electricity was or how someone would build such huge buildings. It's like us finding some ancient civilization in Egypt or somewhere. I was confused when he said all the lights lit up though, as I don't think electricity was working, but he was probably imagining or dreaming or remembering that, since he had seen attacks I guess, like fire bombings and maybe even a nuclear bomb, which could explain what he said about poison staying in the ground, as radiation. I liked this story more than Harrison Bergeron, since I feel it really created a whole world, and really described everything we take for granted in detail of someone who had know clue.
ReplyDeleteI read By the Waters of Babylon over the weekend and once again tonight. Like Ryan, I agree with everyone else. By the Waters of Babylon was hard to understand and follow. Even after reading the story twice I found it extremely hard to understand. I have never read anything that relates to this short story, which made it a more difficult read as well. I found the short story of Harrison Bergeron better because it was easy to follow and had a very interesting plot. Also, it was easier to understand because it was looking towards the future rather than the past. I hope that reviewing the story in class will help me understand it more.
ReplyDelete"By the waters of babylon" was an interesting story to me. The plot made sense and I enjoyed reading that short story. I especially liked when the son of the priest took his chances and went into the "forbidden" land. It cured his curiosity of what was across the great river. He came back and was way more informed on what it was. This story wasn't bad at all and had very well written details that were written in a sense of mystery.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the "By the Waters of Babylon", I was also very confused. I did not get what the real theme of the story was. There was a few parts I did enjoy though, I liked how it talked about what all the forbidden things things are and that the priest went against those "forbidden" things. Also I noticed how Stephen Vincent Benet used repetition a lot, this helped me pick up on certain parts on the story. For example, "it is better to lose one's life than to lose one's spirit", I can not stop thinking about this quote and it is repeated in the story twice. I liked reading Harrison Bergeron better because I understood it more.
ReplyDelete"By the Waters of Babylon" didn't make much sense to me. I am still confused by the ending. Were there such things as the Gods, or were they just men? This story was hard for me to read. I didn't like this story too much because I couldn't get into it. I do understand what they mean by the forbidden lands. I think it was forbidden because if you went there and saw a God or Demon you would die instantly, and they didn't want people venturing all the way to the forbidden lands of the East, only to die right away. It was written in 1937, so I understand that writing back then was different but the story just completely confused me. I definitely preferred Harrison Bergeron more because it flowed nicely, and I understood it. Maybe if this story had been easier for me to follow and understand I would have enjoyed it more than I did.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "by the Waters of Babylon" I was so confused. I enjoyed reading it but I wish i could better understand it. I read it once over the weekend and didn't get it so I tried reading it a second time. It started to make a little more sense but when I readit again tonight I was totally lost. Like Christine said, were the gods really gods or were they men? I liked Harrison Bergeron better because it made much more sense to me and it was more interesting. I also agree with mikayla, I hope reviewing "By the Waters of Babylon" in class will give me a better understanding of the short story.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts about this short story are much like everyone elces. I was very confused on why the story is called " By The Waters of Babylon" when its written in America. but the first thing that came to my mind when i read this story was the east coast of the U.s. It seems to me that when the giant bombs went off, everyone resorted all their faith to priests and Gods. This made me think about Native Amercans and how they talked about spirit guides and acted upon dreams. Over all i didnt like this story nearly as much as "Harrison Bergeron". I would have liked to hear more about the bombs ending the east and how they came about.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the short story, "By the Waters of Babylon" I found it not as interesting as "Harrison Bergeron", but it was still a decent read. The plot of the story was confusing at times but putting myself into the shoes of the main character helped me understand what was going on. The idea of a post-apocalyptic world is both fascinating and mind blowing when the author goes into great detail. I give "By the Waters of Babylon" a 2.5 out of 5.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "By the Waters of Babylon" I was sort of confused. I could follow along with the story and what was appearing to happen, but it was hard for me to go deeper than that. I couldn't wrap my head around what was actually going on. But the images that were put in my head were very clear and I liked that aspect of the short story. I personally like "Harrison Bergeron" better because I could follow along better and the plot just appealed to me more than in "By the Waters of Babylon."
ReplyDelete"By the Waters of Babylon" was overall an interesting story that immediately grabbed my attention due to its sense of mystery. Even though like others I felt confused at times I managed to grasp what was going on a majority of the time. I feel one of the main factors that led me to enjoy the story was how it presented a different view of what the world could become, than books like "Harrison Bergeron". I would have to say I liked this story more than "Harrison Bergeron" even though it was harder to understand. This is probably because I find stories of alternative pasts very interesting and entertaining. Also, how descriptive the story was through the eyes of the main character really kept me engaged through the entire story. So,overall I enjoyed the short story and managed to overcome any confusion that may have stopped me from enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteWhen i read "By the waters of babylon" i was also very confused. throughout the whole story i wasn't really sure what was going on for what was actually happening and what the character was thinking. Like kelly said on page 51 i was very confused at that part. I also prefer Harrison Bergeron because it was very down to the point and a much more interesting topic, i think once i can understand By the waters of Babylon then it will be interesting but when i read it over and over i was still confused.
ReplyDeleteUnlike most, By the Waters of Babylon was very clear to me. I was not confused and I found the story very interesting. I liked it more than Harrison Bergeron. Since this story was written in the 1930s, its not saying anything about todays society. When I read it, it made me think of Ancient Mesopotamia (hence, Babylon). The river reminded me of either the Tigris or Euphratis and I think the temple was built long ago by people to worship the gods.
ReplyDeleteGreat responses, everyone. I especially liked your honesty and your ability to articulate what was confusing for you. Building on the comments of others is another good way to find your own feelings--well done!
ReplyDeleteWe will talk in class about some of the clues that Benet provides, like the title and various New York referneces. What was a big bombing that happened before Benet wrote the story that would have prompted Benet to think about the price of progress in warfare?
I did not enjoy reading "By the Waters of Babylon" because it was really confusing to me. I understood the main points of the story but not much else. Like Ryan, I couldn't relate to the plot so that just made it even less interesting for me to read.
ReplyDeletei didn't really like this story. The whole time i was reading it i was confused. i tried to read it again but it didn't help much. I also didn't know what to expect. when he was in the forbidden place i wasn't sure if he would live through it or die from seeing the spirits.
ReplyDeleteI share the same confusion as others, i was struggling to keep up with setting and places as well. The only thing that i recalled from the selection was that the time was 1937, and it was American related. The bombs and bombing was easy to grasp but other than that i could not really wrap my head around it. Looks like we need a class discussion.
ReplyDeleteI was very confused while reading "By the Waters of Babylon" I wasn't quite sure what was happening and found myself rereading most of the story. Some parts I understood and other parts I was lost. I enjoyed Harisson Bergeron more than this story. It was easier to read and more interesting than this story.
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