Bury Me in a Free Land by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper 

Analyze the poem and write an analytical interpretive essay. 

PLagiarism FRee

MLA Format

Written in third person

It should simply examine how the poetic elements create meaning and effect. It should not contain opinions or other critics’ work. You will have to prove your thesis (idea) about the poem with evidence, using quotes from the poem.

Answer these questions:

What is the point of view of the speaker of the poem? Who is the speaker? Are there characters

described? Who are they?  

Are there any other different constructions in the form of the poem? ________ What is the

effect of these constructions on meaning?

How does this form add to the meaning or effect?  

What form does it have? sonnet (a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number

of formal rhyme schemes) lyric (emotional, rhyming poem, ), ballaza d (four line

stanza that tells a story, free verse (no rhyme or regular meter), blank verse

(verse without rhyme), etc.)  

What is the title of the poem? 

What is the author’s name and the date it was written or published 

What literary movement does this poem express?  

What characteristics from this literary movement does the poem exhibit?