TheIndian Burying Ground
The Meaning of Death in "The Indian BuryingGround"
Summary:
The poem is about an Indian culture, especiallyand Indian funeral. It describes death in this tradition, which islooked at as rude and savage. Still, the speaker reveals a lotabout its strength and beauty as the poem goes on. It is a messageinviting people to understand this culture as it is withoutprejudices.
Unlike the white man's tradition, in the Indian's,the dead Indian is dressed in special clothes as though celebratinga happy event. Death in the Indian tradition has a differentmeaning. It is no longer that sad and dreadful event that everyoneis afraid of. The dead person becomes a warrior who protects theland. This explains his posture and the way he is dressed in. Theconception of death in this culture makes of it a different onefrom the white man's.
This difference makes the strangers reflect onthis tradition, which they consider unacceptable and savage as thespeaker says:
"On which the curious eye may trace
The fancies of a ruder race."
This gap between is but the outcome of amisunderstanding of the Indian's customs. Still, it is adeep-rooted one which has resisted change.
It is deep rooted and old, and believes in theexistence of specters. It gives greatest value to the soul andconsiders it as the perfect and purest element in humans that lives eternally. The Indian culture is a strong one that has a strongbelief in its principles that no reason can solve its mystery. Byresorting to reason, one is to misunderstand and misjudge thisbeautiful culture that deserves more care andattention.
The poem is a beautiful piece of literature. Itreveals a lot about the Indian traditions and culture, which is notgiven its rights, in well rhythmic verses of poetry
This is the complete article, containing 294 words(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
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