By the Waters of Babylon Critical Analysis

By the Waters of Babylon Review and Assess pg. 586 (1-5) 1. ) Even though this story was written in 1937 the comment “eating knowledge too fast” applies to the modern world of today. Johns thought simply means that without thinking of the consequences to come of the usage of knowledge before we have used it. It applies the modification of genetics, cloning and messing with nature.
2. ) John has studied to be a priest with his father.He is now of age and this journeys purpose is like an initiation. In addition, father wants to get more knowledge of the place of gods. It is unusual because he has gotten farther than anyone else has and learns the truth that men lived there not gods. 3. ) John crosses the forbidden river, the god’s roads and ubtreas building.
He thinks they are magical because he in this sacred place, the place of gods. 4. ) John learns that there were never Gods there but there was an early civilization there.John’s father does not want others to know the truth about what John has found because too much truth can be a bad thing; that people can’t handle it all at once. 5. ) In the end the civilization ended in a “poisonous mist” which could mean anything. John describes it as they couldn’t control their achieved knowledge.

It is very likely to happen again based upon human nature. For example john’s excitement to tell other of his knowledge and it would grow from there.