Author
Symbols
Story
Story
Literary Devices
100
What is the name of the author?
Stephen Vincent Benet
100
Explain the significance of each of the following: (a) eagle
It was a sign from spirits. The eagle was going east, so John went east too.
100
What is the act of abstaining from food called?
Fasting
100
What did John seek?
The become a man/priest
100
"The truth is a hard deer to hunt"
Metaphor
200
How did the author die and when?
New York 1943, March 13
200
(b) white fawn
A young deer. Yellowish brown light color.
200
What destroyed the gods and their city?
Fire bombs, War and Destruction.
200
a) Describe the “Place of the Gods” as John reports it. b) What does he learn?
A place where Gods used to live. Now occupied by demons and spirits. John refers to it as "Ashes of great burning" He learnt that there were no spirits or demons living there.
200
"...and I felt small and naked as a new-hatched bird--alone upon the great river..."
Simile
300
How does the author narrates the story? point of view?
First person point of view. The narrator is a character in the story.
300
(c) panther
A ferocious predator. Who attacked the deer first and then John
300
What can you infer about: "I take the metal from the dead places, but I am not blasted."?
The radioactivity of the war has declined to safe levels.
300
Describe three challenges or obstacles he encounters during his quest.
The Panther Forest people The River current The Dogs
300
The title of "By the Waters of Babylon" refers to Psalms 137, King James Bible
Allusion
400
The Author was awarded with what prize?
Pulitzer price in 1944 for western star, an unfinished narrative poem.
400
(d) god-roads
Roads or path made of stone/rock.
400
Interpret the quotation, and comment on it's meaning. “Perhaps, in the old days, they ate knowledge too fast.”
Meaning people before were smart. They searched for knowledge and consumed it. They are referring to us, meaning we are far more advanced than them. We utilized the knowledge.
400
How does John respond to these challenges? (ie. What skills, abilities does he use?)
He kills the panther with one bow going through its eye, to the brain. He makes a raft to cross the river before the forest people could find him When the current took control of the raft he closed his eyes. when he opened them he could see the bank of the river. As soon as sees the bank, the raft struck and turned over, to swam to the shore. He calmly went inside and spent the night.
400
"the great river is very strong- it gripped my raft with its hands."
Personification
500
Where was the author born?
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
500
(e) great burning
Fire bombs. Destruction
500
Interpret the quotation, and comment on their meaning. “Truth is a hard deer to hunt. If you eat too much truth at once, you may die of the truth.”
Truth is bitter. Not everyone likes truth. Some people can't handle the entire truth. Sometimes truth can create problems, rather than solving the current ones.
500
What is the result of his quest?
He finds out that there were no God places or roads. Everything they believed in was wrong. He figured out that they were humans, far ahead of them in technology.
500
" That was magic, for the river itself is wide and calm. I could feel evil spirits about me, in the bright morning; I could feel their breath on my neck as I was swept down the stream."
Imagery
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