Question

In at least 150 words, discuss how poems such as Freneau’s “The Indian Burying Ground” encapsulates popular, Romantic stereotypes of Native Americans at the time.

Answer 1

The Indian Burying Ground was written in 1787. It is representative for its time. It shows the difference of funeral practices between the Europeans and some Native Americans.
It has emphasized how contrasting the Native Americans were to the "civilized" Europeans. The poet's tone reveals the indifference of a white man to the brown race. It is the typical sign of the Europeans' regard for the Native Americans as "Other". The poem ( and its kind ) captures the contempt of the Europeans to the Native Americans like they were showmen. This poem demonstrates the 1700s with its romantic stereotypes--the time where Native Americans were dismissed as nonsensical and theatrical. The poem displays how a "Noble Savage" closely lived and died with nature with his bow and arrows even in death, restless.  It also flaunts how the Native Americans were a "ruder race". A race associated with the "Golden Age", the poem presents the barbaric and heroic Native Americans in long ago settings.

Answer 2

Answer:

Philip Freneau explores American identity by applying the Indians as the ancients of these lands. That being said he's exploring the American identity in his poem through American history as he refers to the native Americans as "Indians". Another line from the poem "and many a barbarous form is seen". On the other hand when he says a barbarous form is seen he's implying the nature and way of life to be barbarous as he means to portray them as savage. The author also mentions a painted chief and pointed spear to describe a native American. That being said American identity can be identified in the line "On which the curious eye may trace, the fancies of a ruder race. Here Philip names natives as a ruder race portraying them as not sophisticated. The author also implies "The posture that we give the dead points out the souls eternal sleep". In this line he refers to the traditional American way to bury the dead.

Explanation:

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