how do john’s beliefs about and motivations for his journey change over the course of the text

by Miss Neha Williamson 8 min read

What motivates John to read the time of the gods?

John is fascinated by the myths of the Time of the Gods, and throughout the story, he is motivated by his desire to acquire knew knowledge about the gods and the history of human civilization.

What happens to John after he learns that the gods are human?

After he learns that the gods were, in fact, human, John tells us that he lost all of his fear. He returns home unafraid, fighting off... (full context)

How does John deal with the challenges he encounters without fear?

As an aspiring priest, John attempts to face the challenges he encounters without fear, and he often remarks on how his fears diminish as he acquires more and more knowledge. The By the Waters of Babylon quotes below are all either spoken by John or refer to John.

What are the key themes in John’s narrative?

This suggests its importance in foreshadowing what is to come and drawing the reading in for the rest of John’s narrative. The key themes that we will be exploring are: the identity of Jesus, introduction of John the Baptist, light and darkness and the glorification of Christ.

How does John's journey change him?

John becomes a man. He becomes wise, calm and fearless. His knowledge will lead his people to advance their civilization.

What is John's beliefs in By the Waters of Babylon?

John learns that people sometimes superstitiously mistake technology for magic, but he still believes in and is fascinated by magic. The priests' lessons only increase John's powerful desire for new knowledge, and his ambition drives the story forward. Get the entire Waters of Babylon LitChart as a printable PDF.

What is John's motivation for going to the place of the gods?

In short, the "Place of the Gods" was actually a place of humans. What is the theme, or message of this story? The theme of the story is to seek knowledge, as John set's out on his journey purely because of his "knowledge and lack of knowledge" He wished to know more.

What is the purpose of John's journey in By the Waters of Babylon?

The story follows John on his initiation quest, a journey he undertakes in order to be recognized by his tribe as a man and a priest. John chooses the path of his journey based on visions and his reading of signs in the natural world. John's desire for new knowledge leads him to break many of the laws of his tribe.

What conclusion can you draw from this passage from By the Waters of Babylon?

the People of the Hills are very spiritual. What conclusion can be drawn from this passage from "By the Waters of Babylon"? There was also the shattered image of a man or a god. It had been made of white stone and he wore his hair tied back like a woman's.

How would you describe John as a character in By the Waters of Babylon?

Character: In By The waters of Babylon John is the main character and also a developing character. Throughout the story, John shows courage and ambition in his character. His determination and bravery also standout in the story by showing strong intent to get to the Place of Gods.

How does John Proctor change throughout The Crucible?

This leads to an important change of his personality: John Proctor changes from a normal citizen and a sinner to a tragic hero, a person of high sense of morality. This evolution of his character is due to many situations he is faced with and which aroused strong feelings and beliefs.

How has Proctor changed from the beginning of the play What do his actions in this act reveal about his character?

Answers 1. Proctor certainly matures. He laments his behavior with Abigail, Instead of blaming his wife Elizabeth, for his affair, he places guilt squarely on his own shoulders. By the end of the play John has gone from self-righteous philandering to trying to keep any good that is left in his name.

What does John finally realize about the gods?

In "By the Waters of Babylon," what does John finally realize about the gods? They used magic to cook and wash.

What is By the Waters of Babylon summary?

"By the Waters of Babylon" is a post-apocalyptic story about humanity's relationship with technology. The remnants of humanity have gathered into tribes and cling to superstitions for survival. Newly-initiated priest John travels to the Dead Lands, a wasteland that only priests are allowed to visit.

How does the narrator arrives at his insight about who the gods of the dead places were?

How does the narrator arrive at his insight about who the gods of the Dead Places were? He discovers a clothed body of a dead man sitting in his apartment. He looks at his skin and into his face and realizes that he is human not god.

What advice about sharing knowledge does John's father give him at the end of the story?

John's father advises him to share his new knowledge with the people a little at a time, so that they aren't overwhelmed; John follows this advice, and believes that eventually, he and his people can rebuild society.

What does John describe in the book?

John describes the soft furniture and carpeting, and the paintings on the walls. He seems particularly... (full context) John also describes objects that he believes were once imbued with magic: a sink without water,... (full context) John soon realizes that he will have to spend the night in the apartment.

What does John tell us about his father?

(full context) John continued to visit the Dead Places and learned more about them, and eventually, he was... (full context) The priests teach John chants, spells, and other secrets.

Why is John fascinated by the time of the gods?

John is fascinated by the myths of the Time of the Gods, and throughout the story, he is motivated by his desire to acquire knew knowledge about the gods and the history of human civilization.

What does John discover in the Place of the Gods?

(full context) Exploring the island further, John finds broken stone pillars and a ruined edifice carved with the letters UBTREAS.

What does John tell his father when he is no longer a boy?

When John is no longer a boy, he tells his father that he is ready to go... (full context) John ’s father warns John that this is a “strong” and dangerous dream, and reminds him that... (full context) John leaves the village and waits for a sign. Just after dawn, he sees an eagle... (full context)

What do the priests teach John?

The priests teach John chants, spells, and other secrets. He learns how to read and write in the “old... (full context) John is proud of his tribe, The Hill People, and he mocks their rival tribe, The... (full context) When John is no longer a boy, he tells his father that he is ready to go... (full context)

What do the dots and icons mean in the water of Babylon?

The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. By the Waters of Babylon. In the story’s opening paragraph, the protagonist and first-person narrator, John, recounts the laws of his tribe.

Why does John's father not want others to know what John has learned about the gods?

Explain why John's father does not want others to know what John has learned about the gods. John's father wants the truth to be revealed gradually. He does not want his people to acquire knowledge before they have the wisdom to use it properly, which is what happened to the "gods.".

Who is John in the Bible?

john. -son of a tribal priest in a post-apocalyptic society. -also becomes a priest. john's father. -priest who conducts the ceremony initiating his son into the tribal priesthood. john's brothers. hunters. forest people. -ignorant rivals of the more advanced society in which john lives.

What is the climax of the book The Place of the Gods?

climax. The climax occurs when John has a vision revealing the Place of the Gods (New York City) as it was just before, and during, the Great Burning. conclusion. John reveals what he has learned from his experiences in the Place of the Gods and what happened when he returned home. themes.

What is the purpose of John's Gospel?

1) Introduction. 2) Purpose of John’s Gospel. 3) Identity and character of Jesus: The Word and Wisdom of God. 4) Light and Darkness. 5) Introduction to John the Baptist. 6) Relationship between Jesus and God. 7) Glorification.

What does John say about Jesus?

John also makes the connection between God and Jesus clear. He explains that Jesus‘…came from the father’ (1:14) and that he ‘… is himself God’ (1:18). This sets the agenda for when Jesus is referred to being the son of God in other places in the gospel.

What does John the Baptist say about the Lamb of God?

When John says ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ (1:35), two of his disciples follow Jesus and become Jesus’ first converts. This shows the impact John the Baptist had in leading others to Jesus. And throughout the rest of the gospel we see him lifting up Jesus.

What is the Lamb of God in John's testimony?

He speaks with authority and is confident of Jesus’ identity. When John says ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ (1:35), two of his disciples follow Jesus and become Jesus’ first converts.

What is the significance of John the Baptist?

John set’s out in the prologue the significance of John the Baptist being a key character. ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John.’ (1:6) The fact John was ‘sent from God’ (1:1) suggests his authority and calling and his ultimate purpose of preparing the way for Jesus.

When John says the word became flesh, does he mean Jesus?

When John says ‘the word became flesh’, he makes it clear that ‘the word’ is Jesus. John does not refer directly to ‘the word again later in the gospel. However, ‘The theology of the word dominates the gospel’ [4].

What is the theme of the prologue?

One of the main themes that the prologue addresses is the identity of Jesus. In the very first sentence of the Prologue, John introduces a new way of viewing God: ‘the Word’. ‘In the beginning was the word’ (1:1) The other gospels start with Jesus’ birth when he is incarnate but ‘John takes us back into the mists of eternity’ [2]. John reminds the readers from the start that he existed before time, mirroring Genesis 1. However, he goes even further and introduces the concept of God being the word ‘and the word was God’. ‘The word was with God’ is referring directly to when God says ‘let there be light’ in Genesis and it connects God, the creator of all things with Jesus saviour of the world. Context?