爱华网我依然坚持我的老观点
我们给死者安排的姿势
表明了灵魂的永远安眠
这地方的古人并不如此——
印第安人一朝离开世人
就再次同亲友坐在一起
重新把欢乐的宴席分享
鸟儿的装饰，带彩绘的碗
为路上食用备好的鹿肉
说明那灵魂具有的特点—
它的活动可没有个尽头
他的弓随时可以引满而发
那一支支按有石镞的箭—
这只能说明生命离开他
但原来的想法没有改变
陌生的人啊，你该来这里
但是可不要把死者冤枉---
把这隆起的草冢看仔细，
并说他们是坐而不是躺
这还剩一块高高的岩石，
虽给雨侵蚀的斑驳无状
（精细的眼睛能由此分辨）
那原始民族的种种想象
还有一颗高耸的老榆树
在它伸得远远的影子下
（牧羊人对此喜爱如初)
林中的孩子们游戏玩耍
常有不眠的印第安女王
（这是梳辫的浅肤色Pale Sheba）
和许多野蛮的形象出场
把逗留在那里的人责骂
只见他全身行猎的装束
在月明露重的午夜时分
这猎手仍在把鹿儿追
可这猎手和鹿都是幽灵
纹身的酋长，锋利的矛尖
畏怯的想象将久久看见
而理智本身会对之屈膝
在这种种的幽灵、幻象前
TheIndian Burying Ground
The Meaning of Death in "The Indian BuryingGround"
Summary:Analysis of the poem "The Indian Burying Ground" by Philip Freneau.The poem describes the spirituality of Indians surrounding death,which is seen as a happy occasion, unlike Western whiteculture.
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 everyo[]neis 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).
