Compare and Conrast - There Will Come Soft Rain and by the Waters of Babylon

The Recovering from a nuclear bomb. A utopia is society where harmony, peace and trust is present. One theme is similar within these two stories, knowledge. In “By the waters of Babylon” John understands why his dad is punishing him more strictly. In “There Will Come Soft Rains” the house knew what the last date of humanity was. In “There Will Come Soft Rain and “By the Waters of Babylon” there are numerous similarities and differences displayed in the theme of knowledge verse ignorance; however, each work still reflects utopian characteristics.

“By the Waters of Babylon” displays the theme of knowledge in its utopian society. Knowledge is especially seen when John understood why his dad punished him strictly. John was being punished more strictly than his older brothers but he understood why. “He was glad that when u should be a priest. But when I boasted or wept without a reason, he punished me more strictly than my brothers.”(Benet 457). This quote displays the theme of knowledge because John knows that since he is a priest he will be punished more strictly. Utopian characteristics are also seen within the theme of knowledge in this society when Johns journey comes to an end. “It shot for the metal alone, we go to the dead place now- there are the books and writings.” This quote displays the utopian society because everything is in peace and harmony within the society. “By the Water of Babylon” displays knowledge and a Utopian society several times throughout the story.

“There Will Come Soft Rains” displays knowledge within its Utopian society. Knowledge is especially seen when the house is saying the