What is the difference between between knowledge and the truth? In “By the Waters of Babylon,” John is searching for more knowledge in a place that is forbidden, according to his society. On his journey John discovers more than just knowledge, he discovers the truth. Throughout the story, the narrator explains what he is feeling, this helps the reader understand how his knowledge differs from the truth.
The beginning of the story starts off with John learning from his father. He learns about the dead places and the Place of the Gods. Once he is able to go to the dead places on his own he says, “So I learned the ways of those houses—and if I saw bones, I was no longer afraid (Benet 310).” This shows he has a strong interest in learning about the past and how he will do whatever it takes to gather more information. With this, he later states, “Nevertheless, my knowledge and my lack of knowledge burned in me – I wished to know more (Benet 312).” This proves that his passion to learn more about his society affects his role and behavior. He continues this topic by saying, “My knowledge made me happy--it was like a fire in my heart (Benet 312).” This is saying that even though he wants to learn more, …show more content…
He says, “It is not true what some of our priests say, that it is an island covered with fogs and enchantments (Benet 316).” This is his way of saying, not everything you are told is always going to be true. At this point in the story John starts to accept the truth, and he feels it was his destiny to seek it. While he is walking through the ruins of what he still believes is the Place of the Gods, he comes to a conclusion that the Gods had knowledge, but they didn’t have the wisdom to use it correctly. We know this is what he was thinking because of what he said while looking around the building. "And yet not all they did was well done…their wisdom could not but grow until all was peace (Benet
The beginning of the story starts off with John learning from his father. He learns about the dead places and the Place of the Gods. Once he is able to go to the dead places on his own he says, “So I learned the ways of those houses—and if I saw bones, I was no longer afraid (Benet 310).” This shows he has a strong interest in learning about the past and how he will do whatever it takes to gather more information. With this, he later states, “Nevertheless, my knowledge and my lack of knowledge burned in me – I wished to know more (Benet 312).” This proves that his passion to learn more about his society affects his role and behavior. He continues this topic by saying, “My knowledge made me happy--it was like a fire in my heart (Benet 312).” This is saying that even though he wants to learn more, …show more content…
He says, “It is not true what some of our priests say, that it is an island covered with fogs and enchantments (Benet 316).” This is his way of saying, not everything you are told is always going to be true. At this point in the story John starts to accept the truth, and he feels it was his destiny to seek it. While he is walking through the ruins of what he still believes is the Place of the Gods, he comes to a conclusion that the Gods had knowledge, but they didn’t have the wisdom to use it correctly. We know this is what he was thinking because of what he said while looking around the building. "And yet not all they did was well done…their wisdom could not but grow until all was peace (Benet