“By the Waters of Babylon” By Stephen Vincent Benét

allusion An allusion is a reference to a statement, person, place, thing, or event from another text or from history or culture. It is only effective if the reader is familiar with whatever is being alluded to. “By the Waters of Babylon”

Authors generally trust readers to recognize or discover the connection between an allusion and its purpose in the writing. “By the Waters of Babylon”

Allusions add another layer of meaning. Think about how the title of this story to add another meaning to it. “By the Waters of Babylon”

The story is told from first-person point of view. The person who tells the story is called the narrator. A first-person narrator uses the pronoun “I” to refer to himself or herself. “By the Waters of Babylon”

persona In first-person narratives, the author may adopt an identity--or persona. This persona allows the author to present the setting through a distinct character’s eyes. “By the Waters of Babylon”

Stephen Vincent Benét uses a persona named John to guide readers and point out significant details to introduce them to a bizarre future world. “By the Waters of Babylon”

First-person narrators can only tell what they themselves know-- their own feelings, thoughts, experiences, and their observations about other characters. “By the Waters of Babylon”

First-person narrators can’t see into the mind of another character or know what is happening in faraway places. “By the Waters of Babylon”

setting tonecharacter Authors imagine the setting and then use details to help the reader see it. The details the narrator points out can help to establish tone and character. People usually notice things that are important to them or that reflect their moods or attitudes. “By the Waters of Babylon”

Chart the Setting Date/Time Weather Locations Buildings Plants Animals Other

“By the Waters of Babylon” Activity #1 Analyze the setting. Use the text and your own knowledge to identify what John is really seeing when he describes setting details. Create a chart –either by hand or in a Word document - similar to the one on the previous slide. Label it Activity 1.

“By the Waters of Babylon” Activity #2 Sequence the stages of John’s journey. Write the numbers AND sentences below your chart. Label it Activity 2. 1.John returns home and tells his father what he saw in the city. 2.John walks for eight days to reach the river. 3.John builds a raft and crosses the river. 4.John reaches the city. 5.John studies to become a priest. 6.John begins his journey to the Place of the Gods.

“By the Waters of Babylon” Activity #3 – Figurative Language Find FIVE examples of figurative language (metaphors, similes, personification) from the story. Create and complete a chart similar to the one on the next slide.

Example (Quote w/page #) Type – Metaphor, simile, personification Explanation – why does the author use this figurative language?

“By the Waters of Babylon” Activity #4 – Optional EXTRA credit In a one-page writing, create the opening of an exciting short story that uses first-person point of view. Be sure to include details about the setting to make the tone clear. Proofread for technical correctness. Be creative!