1. Alas, Babylon
By Pat Frank

2. Setting Fort Repose, Florida Fictional town based on Mt. Dora, Florida
What role does the setting play in survival?
What effect does the setting have on the characters in the novel?

3. Genre: Apocalyptic Fiction
Sub-genre of science fiction
Concerned with the end of civilization
Occurs through either nuclear war, plague, or some other general disaster

4. Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
Set in a world or civilization after such a disaster
Time frame may be immediately after the catastrophe focusing on
-psychology of survivors
-the trials of characters

5. Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
Usually takes place in an agrarian (agricultural) setting
Very little technology or former civilization exists
Characters rebuild their world

6. Theme
A common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work.
Authors develop themes through characters, plot, and other literary devices.
The ability to recognize a theme is important because it allows the reader to understand part of the author’s purpose in writing the book. 

7. Themes: Survival Survival in spite of unthinkable catastrophe
Only the fit survive
Survival of an individual or group
Alas Babylon concentrates on group survival
Survival of a society without the technological advances we have come to depend upon

8. Themes: Isolation
Being absolutely and permanently cut off from the outside world
Isolation from our former self
Isolation from others in society
Isolation from technology

9. Themes: Personal Redemption and Discovery
Sometimes characters lose sight of what really matters in life
Usually, a tragedy forces characters to reexamine values and rediscover what matters most

10. Additional Themes: State of civil defense – unprepared
Futility and horror of nuclear war
Abuse or misuse of power

11. Protagonist: Randy Bragg
The main character who traditionally undergoes some sort of change
Usually overcomes some opposing force

12. Antagonist: Forces of Decay and Decline following a Disaster
Definition: the character or force that provides an obstacle for the protagonist
Plots may have multiple antagonists that work together to oppose the main character
Antagonist: The forces of decay and decline that follow a general breakdown of government and authority and the lack of essential goods and services

13. Conflict: How Survivors Cope
The United States is at war with the Soviet Union, but that is only the backdrop for the novel
The real conflict is with the survivors as they try to cope with the loss of essential goods and services and the general breakdown of authority

14. Mood: Shifts Throughout Novel
At first, the novel seems depressing
Mood quickly switches to a feeling of anxiety
Eventually, the mood becomes hopeful, ending on a cautiously optimistic note

15. Point of View: Third Person
Omniscient, neutral narrator
Discusses events and occurrences that lead up to and follow a worldwide nuclear attack
Characters reveal true natures and tendencies through actions and conversations

16. Chapter 1
What is Florence Wechek’s impression of Randy at the beginning of Chapter 1?

17. Chapter 1
How does the description of the election show a new side to Randy’s character?

18. Chapter 1
If the description of the Bragg house is symbolic of the Bragg character, what might it show?

19. Allusion
An indirect reference to some piece of knowledge not actually mentioned. Allusions usually come from a body of information that the author presumes the reader will know.
The most common allusions are The Bible and Shakespeare.

20. Chapter 1 – Babylon
In the book of “Revelation” in The Bible, Babylon is described as a sinful, materialistic civilization.
Ancient city of Mesopotamia, the ruins of which can be found in modern-day Iraq along the Euphrates River
Babylon was the home of devils with greedy ideas.
Babylon’s leaders closed their eyes to trouble.
When the city was destroyed, no one could buy its fine goods any longer.
Merchants stood at a distance, wringing their hands and weeping.

21. Chapter 1 – “Alas, Babylon”
Just before Peewee Cobb bombs the city of Latakia, he flies near Armageddon.
Armageddon is the site of the last battle between the forces of good and evil.
What is the meaning of the phrase “Alas, Babylon?”
What is the relevance to the novel?

22. “Alas, Babylon”
In The Bible, the destruction of Babylon occurs as a result of the great sins of the population.
The people are destroyed in a holocaust (Armageddon) as punishment for their sins.
In Alas, Babylon, the accidental attack is near Armageddon, and the war that erupts destroys most of the earth.
Just as the people of Babylon caused their own destruction, so, too, do the people of Alas, Babylon.

23. Chapter 2 - Mark’s Authority
Mark is shown as a high-ranking intelligence official
Access to secret information
Knowledge of history
Ability to anticipate the danger of the situation
Planning ahead for his family

24. Chapter 2 - Helen Mark calls Helen his “right arm.”
He says he depends on her love and devotion.
Beginning description anticipates the strength and ability to survive shown by most women later in the novel.
Mark suggests that such women are necessary for the complete success of a man in the military.

25. Chapter 2
Why does Randy vow never to cry again?

26. Chapter 3 How does Edgar Quisenberry judge people?
How does this relate to Edgar’s reaction to the disaster?
What does the poker story reveal about personalities?
How does Randy “trick” Edgar?

27. Chapter 3 What does Randy’s conversation with Malachai reveal?
What is Randy’s attitude toward black people? Why is that significant?
What necessity does Malachai think of before Randy does?

28. Chapter 3 Why does Lib McGovern say Randy should leave Ft. Repose?
Why is Dan a bitter man at the beginning of the novel?
What do Randy, Dan, and Bill McGovern have in common?

29. Chapter 4
Helen leaves Omaha against her wishes. What does that reveal about her character?
How is Ben Franklin a child of the atomic age?
Consider the inadequacy of the Civil Defense. What are some examples?

30. Chapter 4 Randy’s attitude toward war
Significance of time during the release of weapons

31. Chapter 5
How does Randy gain competence and assert authority after the attack?
How does Ben Franklin show maturity during and after the attack?
What does the wreck show about Randy’s personality?

32. Chapter 5 Contrast how different people react to the bombs
How does the town’s business and economy change?

33. Chapter 6 New president What does this change suggest?
New danger: radiation
Why is it so important that Ben Franklin wash his hands?

34. Chapter 7 Effects of the loss of electricity
How does Ben Franklin show growth?
How does Fort Repose change?

35. Chapter 7 Relationship between Lib and Helen
Illogical decisions regarding storage by Civil Defense
Contrast Bubba Offenhaus and Randy as leaders
Examples of “survival of the fittest”

36. Chapter 8 Barter system – what has value?
Change in black and white relationships
Why is the beekeeper important?
What effect does Jim’s generosity have on Randy?

37. Chapter 9 What is ironic about Porky Logan’s death?
New human danger: highway men
The burial of Porky Logan represents a turning point in the novel. Why?
How does Lib analyze the problem with Helen?

38. Chapter 9
Taking a life – how do Randy and Ben Franklin handle their decisions?

39. Chapter 10 Why does Dan stop for the ambush?
Lib asserts her right to be included in the strategy session.
Randy and Dan differ regarding the biggest threat to their survival.
Church service

40. Chapter 10
How does Randy’s attitude toward children change in the months following The Day?

41. Chapter 11
Randy and Lib’s wedding represents both continuity and change
Malachai drives the decoy truck. What does this show about Randy’s leadership?
Hanging vs. shooting the highway men
What good comes out of the struggle to save Malachai?

42. Chapter 12 Peyton attempts to be useful Substitute for anesthesia
Importance of salt
Irony of new system of education
Patient gives new hope for the future

43. Chapter 13 How are leaflets useful? How is Randy’s group lucky?
How is their success a result of initiative?

44. Chapter 13 What notes of hope are there?
What pessimistic notes are there?
Why don’t Randy and his friends want to leave?
Irony of final question and answer