CHAPTER 10: The Federalist Era "Early American Poetry"

Introduction
Students have read that the new country had its share of conflict and controversy, and that newspapers played an important role in educating the public about the issues and in shaping opinions. In this lesson, students will learn about the poetry of one of the day's more prominent newspaper editors, Philip Freneau.

Lesson Description
Students will visit the Archiving Early America Web site and read "The Indian Burying Ground" by Philip Freneau. They will interpret the poem and answer four questions.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will read a selection of poetry and defend their interpretation of it.
2. Students will explore an alternative type of political commentary.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. The original inhabitants of the land, the Native Americans.
2. Always ready for action, like the bow.
3. The stranger refers to whites settling in the land of Native Americans. The speaker is warning "strangers," that is whites, that the land is holy and that it should be treated with reverence. 4. Answers will vary, but may include the following ideas: The spiritual presence remains long after the physical person dies ("not the finer essence gone"); The Native Americans left their mark on the land ("lofty rock remains"); Death should not be feared but welcomed ("joyous feast").

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