Baylor College Medical School
By the water of babylon by stephen vincent benet
8. How does the title of By The Water of Babylon add to your understanding of Benet's story?
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greta r #218157
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jill d #170087
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Answered by
Aslan
The title alludes to the first verse of Psalm 137 in the King James Bible,
"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion." (King James)
In Benét's story, the survivors of the Great Burning (end of the world/apocalypse) live in exile much like the Jews did in Babylon. John is meant to lead them home one day.
Answered by
jill d #170087
The title Water of Babylon is directly related to Psalm 137;
"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion." (King James)
This passage refers to the conquering of Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, and its ultimate destruction. .......
The Water of Babylon follows a similar path. Whereas, the survivors of the Great Burning are exiled in the same way the Jews were in the story we've read in Psalms. John will return to the city in the same way the Jews were allowed to return to their city by the Persians.
