I just finished reading "By the Waters of Babylon" by Stephen Vincent Benet and I have no idea what any of it means. I don't understand where the narrator came from (i mean from what country or state), what the metal is that the priests take from the houses of the Dead, and what New York City has to do with any of it. Can anyone please explain this to me or point me in the direction of a reliable source? Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated!

Question

This may help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By_the_Waters_of_Babylon

=)

Thank you very much!!! :)