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Summary The Indian burying ground (Philip Freneau)
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The Indian burying ground (Philip Freneau) - analysing the poem and background information.
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1Introduction
“the Indian burying ground” is a tribute ‘The Indian Burying Ground’
Stanza 1. The argument Philip Freneau
(written in the form of an elegy or ode) to the
provided by the poet here.
customs of 18th -century Native Americans 1. In spite of all the learned have said,
The poet differs from many
who buries their dead in sitting position. This 2. I still my old opinion keep;
other educated people in
burial custom highlights their beliefs in their belief that the way we 3. The posture, that we give the dead,
bury our dead lying down 4. Points out the soul’s eternal sleep.
simplicity in life and eternity.
suggests they are
embarking on a long sleep. 5. Not so the ancients of these lands—
SACAI JUN 2021 6. The Indian, when from life released,
7. Again is seated with his friends,
8. And shares again the joyous feast.
“His” refers to the 9. His imaged birds, and painted bowl,
“Indian” 10. And venison, for a journey dressed,
11. Bespeak the nature of the soul,
12. Activity, that knows no rest.
Stanza 4. the aspect of American
Indian philosophy.
13. His bow, for action ready bent,
The fact that the American Indian
14. And arrows, with a head of stone,
people bury their dead together
15. Can only mean that life is spent,
with their bows and
16. And not the old ideas gone.
arrows indicates a belief that while
the person is mortal and their
physical body has 17. Thou, stranger, that shalt come this way,
succumbed to death, the soul lives 18. No fraud upon the dead commit—
on in the afterlife equipped with 19. Observe the swelling turf, and say
those necessities they 20. They do not lie, but here they sit.
had during life which suggests
continuity from life after death. SACAI 21. Here still a lofty rock remains,
JUN 2021 22. On which the curious eye may trace
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