Skip to main content

What were John's goals in "By The Waters of Babylon"?

In different parts of the story, John has different goals. First, his goal is to pass the Dead Places test his father gives him so he can be a priest. Then his goal is to learn all the knowledge and priestly magic well. After that, his goal is to have his father's permission to go on his journey and be a man. His next goal is to achieve his dream of seeing "the gods walking," even though to do so is forbidden. His next goal is to recognize the signs he is sent and follow them: "I prayed and purified myself, waiting for a sign. The sign was an eagle. It flew east."


I saw it and told what I saw. It was what I have always seen—a river, and, beyond it, a great Dead Places and in it the gods walking."


. . . [Father] said, "This is a strong dream. . . It may eat you up."



After making it through the forest, his goal is to cross the Ou-di-sun (Hudson) river and get to the Place of the Gods, even though these things too are forbidden. His final goal is to introduce his new knowledge to his people—the People of the Hills—gradually, as instructed by his father, and to become Chief Priest (like his father). His goal is then to take a "company" of men to the Place of the Gods to collect the wealth of knowledge there: "We shall go to the Place of the Gods—the place newyork—not one man but a company."


In the story, John's two most engrossing goals are to follow his dream and to cross the river to the Place of the Gods. The dream he wants to follow is the dream he was given during the time of his priesthood purification. His dream given at that time was that he will see "the gods walking." This is a difficult dream because to go to the Place of the Gods is forbidden, and even to journey toward the Place—to journey to the east—is forbidden. It is also difficult because to go there is to enter where "spirits live, and demons" and where "there are the ashes of the Great Burning."


Crossing the river is also forbidden, and raises great fears in John's mind. In fact, after building his raft for the crossing, he prays the "sayings of the dead" and paints himself "for death." He believes following his goal of crossing the "great river" will lead to his death at the gods' hands, so he "began" his "death song":



"I am John, son of John," I sang. . . 
"Open your hearts, you spirits, and hear my song.
Now I go to the Place of the Gods, I shall not return.
My body is painted for death and my limbs weak, but my heart is big as I go to the Place of the Gods!"


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...