One Thousand Dollars/By the Waters of Babylon

​One Thousand Dollars & By the Waters of Babylon

​Literary Analysis: Point of View

Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told. Most stories are told from either first-person point of view or third-person point of view.

In first-person point of view, the narrator is one of the characters and refers to himself or herself with the pronouns I or me. In “By the Waters of Babylon,” for example, the story’s narrator is also its main character, John.

In third-person point of view, the narrator does not participate in the action. Instead, the narrator refers to characters by the third-person pronouns he, she, him, her, they, and them. “One Thousand Dollars” is told in third-person point of view. A narrator outside the story tells about the actions and experiences of the main character, Bob Gillian.

Sometimes, a writer gives the reader more information than the narrator or a character has. By doing so, the writer creates dramatic irony, a forceful contrast between what the reader knows to be true and what the narrator or character believes.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

How can you tell that “One Thousand Dollars” is told in third-person point of view?

Open Ended

At the end of “One Thousand Dollars,” what do Gillian and the reader know that the

lawyers do not know?

Open Ended

Reread the last sentence of “One Thousand Dollars.” How does this sentence create

dramatic irony?

Open Ended

Does this dramatic irony make you see other people in a new light? Why or why not?

Open Ended

Give one quote from “By the Waters of Babylon” that helps you identify John as the story’s first-person narrator.

Open Ended

What does John know that the reader does not know?

Open Ended

Give one detail from “By the Waters of Babylon” about which the reader has more knowledge than John does.

Open Ended

What mood is created by the story’s dramatic irony?

Multiple Choice

In “One Thousand Dollars,” how does Gillian respond to his $1,000 inheritance?

• He is angry that his uncle did not leave him more money.

• He finds it an awkward amount of money to have to spend.

• He is overjoyed that his uncle left him such a large sum of money.

• He knows that if he spends it wisely, he will receive much more money.

Multiple Choice

In “One Thousand Dollars,” Old Bryson’s reaction to Gillian suggests that

• some of Gillian’s acquaintances like him only because he is wealthy.

• many of Gillian’s acquaintances will be jealous of his inheritance.

• most of Gillian’s acquaintances want what is best for him.

• some of Gillian’s acquaintances find him immature and unlikable.

Multiple Choice

In “One Thousand Dollars,” which word best describes Lotta Lauriere’s response to Gillian?

• dismissive

• affectionate

• hostile

• puzzled

Multiple Choice

In “One Thousand Dollars,” why does Gillian give the money to Miriam Hayden?

• He loves her.

• He wants to impress her.

• She asks him for it.

• He can’t think of anything else to do with it.

Multiple Choice

What creates irony at the end of “One Thousand Dollars”?

• The lawyers know something about Gillian that the reader does not.

• The narrator knows something about Gillian that the lawyers do not.

• The reader knows something about Gillian that the lawyers do not.

• The lawyers, the reader, and the narrator all discover the truth about Gillian.

Multiple Choice

Which best describes the point of view of the narrator in “One Thousand Dollars”?

• first-person

• omniscient third-person

• limited third-person

• naive first-person

Multiple Choice

In “By the Waters of Babylon,” which period represents “the beginning of time” for John’s society?

• before the evolution of the human species

• before the onset of the Industrial Revolution

• after human beings learned to use fire

• after the destruction of modern civilization

Multiple Choice

John’s references to gods and magic in “By the Waters of Babylon” suggest that

• John is young.

• his people lack knowledge of technology.

• the People of the Hills are social outcasts.

• the Great Burning was a recent event.

Multiple Choice

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

• The image is a statue of Washington.

• The gods had a leader named ASHING.

• Some people considered Washington a god.

• The gods had greater respect for men than for women.

Multiple Choice

John’s discovery that the “gods” were men makes him realize that

• he can no longer be considered a priest.

• his people are capable of similar feats.

• New York City was once a sacred place.

• the Hill People are completely insignificant.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence best reflects the point of view in “By the Waters of Babylon”?

• The north and the west and the south are good hunting ground

• It is eight suns’ journey to the east and a man passes by many Dead Places.

• After a time, I myself was allowed to go into the dead houses and search for metal.

• There was a washing-place but no water—perhaps the gods washed in air.

Multiple Choice

The point of view used in “By the Waters of Babylon” causes the reader to

• strongly identify with John.

• judge the narrator to be ignorant.

• believe in magic.

• see the world in a new way.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is true of the narrators in both stories?

• They are both omniscient.

• They both know more than the reader knows.

• They are both first-person narrators.

• They both have limited knowledge.

Multiple Choice

How are Gillian in “One Thousand Dollars” and John in “By the Waters of Babylon” alike?

• Both take actions that others may perceive to be foolish.

• Neither is treated fairly by his elders.

• Both allow fear and uncertainty to determine their actions.

• Neither comes to understand an important truth.

Multiple Choice

In both stories, dramatic irony is used to create

• a humorous tone.

• suspense.

• third-person point of view.

• a dreamy mood.

Multiple Choice

Both “One Thousand Dollars” and “By the Waters of Babylon” are set

• in New York City, and in the past.

• in Europe, and in the future.

• in New York City, and in a different time period from our own.

• in Europe, and in our own time period.

Multiple Choice

Which is a theme of both “One Thousand Dollars” and “By the Waters of Babylon”?

• Things are not always what they seem to be.

• It is best to seek advice before making an important decision.

• Small acts of love can change the world.

• Waste not, want not.

Multiple Choice

At the end of both “One Thousand Dollars” and “By the Waters of Babylon,” the reader is left with a feeling of

• doom.

• amusement.

• hope.

• regret.