Digging - Seamus Heaney Flashcards
What is the introduction?
The search for self-identity is often an interesting and memorable experience. In Seamus Heaney’s ‘Digging’, the theme of identity is prevalent as Heaney admires and is inspired by his family roots in farming, while he justifies himself as a poet. This search for self-identification can be seen through Heaney’s use of Imagery and Tone within the poem.
What is the first paragraph?
Heaney’s search for identity can be seen within the imagery in the opening stanza. The poem opens with the family members in their separate domains; Heaney writing while looking out the window, where he notices his father digging in the garden. He describes the grip of his pen as ‘snug as a gun’. This simile can be interpreted in several ways, firstly the word ‘snug’ implies that pen is sitting comfortably in his hand like it is meant to be there.
This idea is mirrored later in the poem when Heaney describes his father’s ‘coarse boot’ as being ‘nestled on the lug’, which also suggests comfort and correct placement while he digs up the potatoes. On the other hand, the reference to a ‘gun’ connotes power and potential fear, which suggests Heaney feels a responsibility through his writing but also hesitance to leave his farming background.
What is the second paragraph?
Heaney also uses aural imagery to convey is pride in his family as their work is arduous. He describes how he hears “a clean rasping sound” and he hears “the spade [sink] into gravelly ground”. The alliteration of the s’s and g’s in this line presents very vivid aural imagery, which makes the reader feel like even they can hear the sound of Heaney’s father digging in the garden. Similarly, when he describes his grandfather cutting turf. The hard ck sound in “nicking” and the soft c in “slicing” present two contrasting sounds. From this, it is clear that Heaney respects his forebears for their work ethic and does not believe he is better because he is choosing an academic path, instead is inspired by their commitment to their profession.
What is the third paragraph?
Heaney uses tone to further reinforce his pride. When he states ‘By God the old man could handle a spade, just like his old man’, the reader can see the long line of farming tradition and that Heaney is proud to be part of. When he describes his grandfather as being able to ‘cut more turf in a day than another man on Toner’s bog’, the tone changes to a more childlike boastful tone to emphasise that skilled farming is not just something he is awe of but something the community aspire towards. By including these memories and reminiscing on the traditions of his family, Heaney indicates why it is so hard for him to depart from his family history and choose a different path in life as a poet.
What is the fourth paragraph?
In the final stanza the tone changes again as Heaney’s mature voice returns when he admits that he has ‘no spade to follow men like them’ and realises that as an artist, he will still be digging. Through his poetry, he can delve into the past and understand that it is possible for him to both honour his history and depart from it. He accepts that writing is not digging in the same way of his father and grandfather, but in the end, he seems content with his identity and is resolved to continue digging with his pen.
What is the conclusion?
In conclusion, through effective imagery and tone, ‘Digging’ represents Heaney’s journey toward both honouring and departing from his history and finally feeling that his choice to being a poet is justified. While his vocation may not involve physically digging like his father or grandfather before him, he can still ‘dig’ with his writing.
What does ‘snug as a gun’ annotate?
Simile showing power contrasting with comfort
What does ‘clean rasping sound’ and ‘gravelly ground’ annotate?
Shows aural imagery of good clean work and great skill pf his father’s digging
What does ‘coarse boot nestled on the lug’ annotate?
Mirrors Heaney’s pen, his father is comfortably working hard in his chosen career
What does ‘By God the old man could handle a spade. Just like his old man’ annotate?
Shows Heaney is proud of how skilled his father and grandad are at farming
What does ‘my grandfather cut more turf in a day than any other man on Toner’s bog’ annotate?
Shows a boastful childish tone reinforcing how proud he is of his forebears
What does ‘But I’ve no spade to follow men like them’ and ‘I’ll dig with it’ annotate?
Recognises his potential is in writing but wants to honour his forbears
