“By the Waters of Babylon” By Stephen Vincent Benét

“By the Waters of Babylon”

“By the Waters of Babylon”

By Stephen Vincent BenétBy Stephen Vincent Benét

An allusionallusion 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.

An allusionallusion 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”“By the Waters of Babylon”

Authors generally trust readers to recognize or discover the connection

between an allusion and its purpose in the writing.

Authors generally trust readers to recognize or discover the connection

between an allusion and its purpose in the writing.

“By the Waters of Babylon”“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.

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”“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.

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”“By the Waters of Babylon”

In first-person narratives, the author may adopt an identity--or personapersona. This persona allows the author to present the

setting through a distinct character’s eyes.

In first-person narratives, the author may adopt an identity--or personapersona. This persona allows the author to present the

setting through a distinct character’s eyes.

“By the Waters of Babylon”“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.

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”“By the Waters of Babylon”

First-person narratorscan only tell what they themselves know--their own feelings, thoughts, experiences, and their observations

about other characters.

First-person narratorscan only tell what they themselves know--their own feelings, thoughts, experiences, and their observations

about other characters.

“By the Waters of Babylon”“By the Waters of Babylon”

First-person narratorscan’t see into the mind of another

character or know what is happening in faraway places.

First-person narratorscan’t see into the mind of another

character or know what is happening in faraway places.

“By the Waters of Babylon”“By the Waters of Babylon”

Authors imagine the settingsetting and then use details to help the reader see it. The details the narrator points out can help

to establish tonetone and charactercharacter. People usually notice things that are

important to them or that reflect their moods or attitudes.

Authors imagine the settingsetting and then use details to help the reader see it. The details the narrator points out can help

to establish tonetone and charactercharacter. People usually notice things that are

important to them or that reflect their moods or attitudes.

“By the Waters of Babylon”“By the Waters of Babylon”

Chart the SettingChart the Setting

Date/Time

Weather

Locations

Buildings

Plants

Animals

Other

“By the Waters of Babylon”“By the Waters of Babylon”

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

“By the Waters of Babylon”“By the Waters of Babylon”

Activity #2Sequence 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”“By the Waters of Babylon”

Activity #3 – Figurative LanguageFind 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”“By the Waters of Babylon”

Activity #4 – Optional EXTRA creditIn 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!