SURVIVOR: John and the world beyond

Question 1: How does the character search for solace, purpose, and/or redemption in this story?

John, the main character of "By the Waters of Babylon", searches for purpose by trying to find by answering the questions of his puzzled mind. John does so by going on a journey to become a man. Each man of this time period has to take this journey to show their becoming of a man. John had always been troubled and questioned about why they could not travel to certain places such as "The Place of the Gods." John's purpose in this story is him to solve his answers, so he goes on a journey to "The Place of the Gods," even though he was not allowed to, to solve his answers. Once he arrives at his destination he descovers the truth of the past. He also discovers that the "Gods" were actual people and they were killed by eachother. After discovering this he goes back to his father and tells him about his findings, and he had planned to show other when he becomes the head priest.

Question 2: How does the character's experience reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?

John's experience reflects the historical period because none of the people of the future had no clue what had happen to the people of the past. They had always wondered what had happen in there past. The information the writer gives in the begaining of the story makes it seem as though the people are far in our past becuase of the lack of technology they have and their out looking on certain things. When John comes to the "Place of the Gods" the reader can realize that it is a City by using the clues that the writer gives, such as the stairs and the God "ASHING," which is actualy George Washington. Once he reaches the top of a building he sees a "God" that has died and he realizes they r humans, and has a vision of what had happen in the past that shows the town was destroyed by other "Gods" and the few that had excaped had formed the civilizations that John now lives in.

Question 3: How does the character's experience in the story symboloize the theme of survival and the human spirit?

John's experience in this story symboloizes the theme of survivial and the human spirit because of the journey that was forbideon and the obsticals that he had to overcome. Even though John was not allowed to go on this journey he desides to against the rules of his civilization. John has many obsticals on his journey he has to avoid being spotted by the Forest people because they were a rival tribe of the Hill People, which was John's tribe, if they saw him they may have killed him. Another obstical was that if he were to look or go to the "Place of the Gods" he would be killed by the "Gods." Even though he knew this he traveled on and discovered the truth behind what was said. This story symbolizes the theme of survival and the human spirit because of John's spirit discovered the history of his people and found the truth of the "Gods" which were actualy people like, himself and others.