Digging
Poetry
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Seamus Heaney
Digging Summary
“Digging” is about the poet’s love and respect for his father and grandfather, who worked hard as farmers. The poet himself is different from his forefathers. He does not dig with a spade like them. Instead, he digs with his pen through his writing.
Pen and Sound of a Spade: The poem begins with the poet sitting at his desk. He is holding a pen between his fingers and thumb. The pen feels firm and...
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Digging Theme
Themes
Respect for Hard Work and Family Tradition : The poem shows the poet’s deep respect for his father and grandfather, who worked hard as farmers. They spent their lives digging the land and growing food. The poet remembers their strength, skill, and love for work. Even though he does not become a farmer, he honors their hard and honest labor. To honor his family tradition, he compares his wri...
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Digging Literary Device
Symbols
The Spade : The spade stands for the hard, honest work of the poet’s father and grandfather. It symbolizes the family’s connection to land and farming.
The Pen : The pen represents the poet’s own tool for work. Just like his father used a spade to dig the soil, Heaney uses a pen to dig into his thoughts and memories through writing and poetry.
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Digging Quotations
Quotes
“By God, the old man could handle a spade.
Just like his old man.”
Exp: The poet proudly says that his father was very skilled at digging the soil, just like his grandfather. It shows his deep respect for their hard work and the family’s farming tradition.
“Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I’ll dig with it.”
Exp: Here, the poet says that, instead of diggi...
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Notes
Explore 4 detailed notes related to Digging. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.