"By the Waters of Babylon," Part 1: Analyzing Setting — Quiz
Question 15 • English Language Arts 10
Read the passage from "By the Waters of Babylon.” Nevertheless, as I made the raft, the tears ran out of my eyes. The Forest People could have killed me without fight, if they had come upon me then, but they did not come. When the raft was made, I said the sayings for the dead and painted myself for death. My heart was cold as a frog and my knees like water, but the burning in my mind would not let me have peace. As I pushed the raft from the shore, I began my death song—I had the right. It was a fine song. Which textual evidence best supports the analysis that the setting develops the author's acceptance of death?
Answer
A
“The Forest People could have killed me without fight.”
B
“the tears ran out of my eyes”
C
“but they did not come”
D
“My heart was cold as a frog”
Explanation
The Forest People are part of the dangerous setting, and the narrator recognizes that they could kill him easily. He still pushes off and sings his death song, showing that he accepts the risk of dying. “The Forest People could have killed me without fight” best connects the setting to that acceptance.
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