Final answer:
The protagonist's journey to the forbidden zone in 'By the Waters of Babylon' exemplifies a dystopian element, revealing a world of destruction and restricted knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the short story "By the Waters of Babylon," an example of a dystopian element is the protagonist's journey to the forbidden zone. This journey is a common characteristic within dystopian narratives, where societies face restrictions on knowledge and exploration post-catastrophe. In stark contrast to a utopian society featuring abundant resources or peaceful coexistence, the protagonist's experience highlights a world where humans have destroyed their civilization, and certain knowledge is forbidden. This sense of loss and control over information exemplifies dystopian communities, which are often characterized by oppressive societal control and the absence of ideal qualities found in more utopian settings.