Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Digging By Seamus Heaney - College Paper

Digging By Seamus Heaney


Digging A poem by Seamus Heaney
In this poem 'Digging' by Seamus Heaney, there is an element of ambiguity. The author writes this poem about a Father 'digging potatoes' - this however, is only on the surface. Underlying the true intention or meaning of the poem reveals the great admiration and respect for how hardworking his Father and Grandfather was. All though this may just be a poem about 'digging potatoes'. The poet reveals the tremendous skill in digging and conveys certain artistry in this physical act. The poet also uses this poem to speak out against the past political situation of farming in Ireland.
He uses his words as a 'weapon' to speak out what he personally feels to be ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

like the poet is writing directly to the reader. Making it a more 'in touch' and personal poem to subjects that we can relate to. In this case. Having a respect for your Father or your heritage.

The poems opening line, in a simple, complete one line statement, conveys the impression of the poet talking to us directly and also sets a 'snapshot' of time for the reader:

"Between my finger and my thumb/The squat pen rests; snug as a gun"

This opening line focuses our attention to the fact that this is set in present time. It is as if the opening lines in the first stanza is creating the beginning of his memories being told by the poet.

When Seamus Heaney uses the word "gun" in relation to his "pen." The author uses this simile "gun" to express his relief that he can use his pen instead of a gun as a weapon. It shows a new belief that you do not have to use violence to achieve your goal.

Seamus Heaney is careful n choosing the word "gun" - almost a starting point in what ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login

The soil retained too much water, resulting in the potato crop rotting. The message in just this word 'gravelly' is to the reader and the way that Seamus Heaney uses ambiguity, it is to educate the reader of the hardship that these farmers had to go through under the English oppressive rule. This is an example of how a pen can be a weapon.

In the third stanza where Heaney uses "twenty years" he is watching his Father digging in the flowerbeds, this brings back memories of his father working in the potato filed. This memory is what the author is choosing to document in order to give the reader a 'sense of time' and taking the reader with his memories. Going back to the point ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.


CITE THIS PAGE:

Digging By Seamus Heaney. (2004, January 22). Retrieved March 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Digging-By-Seamus-Heaney/1845
"Digging By Seamus Heaney." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 22 Jan. 2004. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Digging-By-Seamus-Heaney/1845>
"Digging By Seamus Heaney." Essayworld.com. January 22, 2004. Accessed March 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Digging-By-Seamus-Heaney/1845.
"Digging By Seamus Heaney." Essayworld.com. January 22, 2004. Accessed March 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Digging-By-Seamus-Heaney/1845.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 1/22/2004 08:08:51 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1529
Pages: 6

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» Digging By Seamus Heaney
» Digging By Seamus Heaney
» An Appreciation Of The Poem Di
» An In-depth Analysis Of Diggin
» Dig With it
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved