Stephen Vincent Benet

John, narrator – dynamic character, son of a priest, attempting to become a priest, desires knowledge, he has limited education. John’s father – static character, he is a priest, takes his son to collect metal because it is rare and valuable. Forest people Gods

John desires knowledge – What do we know about John and his people? They are primitive. (women spin wool on the wheel, priests wear white robes, their dreams define them…) They collect metal from advanced civilizations ruins. The read the books and study the writings of this advanced civilizations.

Before he leaves… His body receives purification. His father gives him a bow and arrow and warns him, “It is forbidden to go east. It is forbidden to cross the river. It is forbidden to go to the Place of the Gods.” He fasts before his journey. Where to go? At dawn, he waited for a sign. (Eagle flew east, deer went east) Though it was forbidden, he decided he must go east.

Eight suns’ journey to the east During these eight days, he passed by many dead places. He took a knife, though he didn’t need it. He hunted for meat. He felt his magic was strong, and journey clean despite going east The river He built a raft, ever fearful of the forest people who could kill him. He sung his song as he sailed toward the Place of the Gods.

John feels fear at first – “I could feel evil spirits about me…” God-Roads – Worn down and broken Walking, it felt like ground, not burning. It was a great dead place. – He found marks of the great burning on the ruins.

It was silent and sunny where he landed. There were tall buildings still intact. Tall statue of “ASHING” with his hair pulled back. Wild cats and dogs – Pets of the former mortals

As he traveled north, John was no longer afraid. He found enchanted boxes and jars of food. – When he was younger, he tasted these, but his father would not let John have them because these could be deadly. – This time he tasted them again, and he found the fruits very sweet.

He travels through an apartment hallway and finds an elevator door. He found the room of the powerful man. – Pictures – Washing places with hot and cold – Cooking machines – Books – A dead man

John realizes that the Gods were mortal. They were men. – He sees the man with the dry, leather skin watching his city being destroyed.

“We must build again.”