One of the most time tested pieces of culture, literature reflects the culture of its writers and their nation. Within literary works of The Wild Honeysuckle and The Indian Burial Ground by Philip Freneau, Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 10th, 1666 by Anne Bradstreet, and To a waterfowl by William Cullen Bryant can be seen the developing character of being an American. Many of these poems show less to be desired traits found in everyday life. Within the pages of these poems can be found vanity, obduracy and contempt toward outsiders and fools. In the poems of To a waterfowl and Verses upon the Burning of our House, July 10th, 1666 vain ideals are given homage and treated with much respect. (talk about publicity of author) Obdurance
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William Bryant writes “While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, / Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue / Thy solitary way? ” (Bryant 2-4). The setting of this poem is near dusk indicated by the “last steps of day”. Bryant mentions that the waterfowl has far to travel by saying “their rosy depths”, this hints that the length of pink in the sky is vast and the distance is “far”. Bryant then asks the question why does this bird pursue “thy solitary way”. Another perception of self reliance and hard working is really trying to cover for its own uncooperative and stubborn nature. In order to hid the waterfowl own faults Bryant tries to idolize and justify both the waterfowl and his own actions. The fact that the waterfowl is “solitary” indicates that it is the waterfowl’s own faults and decisions that has lead to being isolated because he chooses to be alone. There is no mention of its solitary nature because Bryant doesn’t continue on in detail, so it also could be because of the waterfowl’s personality. This hardheadedness is also seen by Philip Freneau in the Indian Burial Ground in which he states, “In spite of all the learned have said, / I still my old opinion keep; ” (Freneau, “Indian Burial Ground” 1-2). Just like how many Americans like Ken Ham don’t believe in certain aspects of science due to evidence, Freneau writes about this same trait criticizing his fellow Americans. In the Indian Burial Ground Freneau is criticizing the act of laying an Indian body stating that it desecrates sacred Native American graves. Freneau deliberately goes against the majority and the main scientific and educated body, this is evidenced by his own statement saying “in spite of all the learned”. His first line comes out as going against “the learned”, he says “In spite of”. This is going against all the evidence, college degree “learned” people, Freneau has the
William Bryant writes “While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, / Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue / Thy solitary way? ” (Bryant 2-4). The setting of this poem is near dusk indicated by the “last steps of day”. Bryant mentions that the waterfowl has far to travel by saying “their rosy depths”, this hints that the length of pink in the sky is vast and the distance is “far”. Bryant then asks the question why does this bird pursue “thy solitary way”. Another perception of self reliance and hard working is really trying to cover for its own uncooperative and stubborn nature. In order to hid the waterfowl own faults Bryant tries to idolize and justify both the waterfowl and his own actions. The fact that the waterfowl is “solitary” indicates that it is the waterfowl’s own faults and decisions that has lead to being isolated because he chooses to be alone. There is no mention of its solitary nature because Bryant doesn’t continue on in detail, so it also could be because of the waterfowl’s personality. This hardheadedness is also seen by Philip Freneau in the Indian Burial Ground in which he states, “In spite of all the learned have said, / I still my old opinion keep; ” (Freneau, “Indian Burial Ground” 1-2). Just like how many Americans like Ken Ham don’t believe in certain aspects of science due to evidence, Freneau writes about this same trait criticizing his fellow Americans. In the Indian Burial Ground Freneau is criticizing the act of laying an Indian body stating that it desecrates sacred Native American graves. Freneau deliberately goes against the majority and the main scientific and educated body, this is evidenced by his own statement saying “in spite of all the learned”. His first line comes out as going against “the learned”, he says “In spite of”. This is going against all the evidence, college degree “learned” people, Freneau has the