The contrast of two settings in ‘By the Waters of Babylon’ helps to reveal the story’s purpose. John’s home was a very primitive village, where people still hunted for their main source of food and believed in magic. They don’t even have running water, because John was confused on what a faucet was. “in the washing-place, a thing said “Hot” but it was not hot to the touch- another thing said “Cold” but it was not cold. This must have been a strong magic but the magic was gone.”(Benét, 64). The Place of the Gods was very modern compared to today, having things like elevators “on one side of it was a bronze door that could not be opened, for it had no handle.”(Benét, 64), faucets “in the washing-place, a thing said “hot” but it was not hot to
