Friday, September 14, 2012

In the story, "By the Waters of Babylon," why does John set out on his journey and why is it unusual?

John, the narrator, is the son of a priest of the Hill people. He has studied for the priesthood with his father and now has come of age. As part of his initiation rite into the priesthood, he has a dream about a gigantic Dead Place in the time of its glory. John's father is afraid the dream may "eat him up" but reluctantly sends his son on a journey of discovery that is the last initiation requirement. The journey is unusual because John travels east in a forbidden direction following a "god-road" to the taboo "Place of the Gods." His discoveries on the journey hold the keys to both the past and future of his people.

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