Question

What does Freneau admire about the burial rites of Native Americans, as described in "The Indian Burying Ground"? The rites are performed by the entire tribe. The rites do not involve judgment of the deceased. The rites are performed by the tribe's queen or chief. The rites imply that the deceased will live actively after death.

Answer 1

What Freneau admires about the burial rites of Native Americans is that

• The rites imply that the deceased will live actively after death.

As described in the poem, they are buried in a sitting position, which suggests they are active in their afterlife:

"The Indian, when from life released,  

Again is seated with his friends,  

   And shares again the joyous feast. "

This is very different to burial rites of most of us, in which we bury the people in a lying position, since we regard afterlife as eternal rest, sleep.

"His imaged birds, and painted bowl,  

   And venison, for a journey dressed,  

Bespeak the nature of the soul,  

  Activity, that knows no rest. "