Summary of Digging

... The poem 'Digging' was written by Seamus Heany five years before the outbreak of violence in Northern Ireland, however, everyone was aware of the conflict that would occur. It was written in 1964 and it was the first poem where he felt he had really "let down a shaft into his real life". Heany starts by saying, "the squat pen rests, snug as a gun." He treats the pen as his weapon, like a gun and he uses a very confident tone. His grandfather and father were both farmers they dug. The noise of the turf and the smell of potatoes brings back his memories and makes him aware of the vital link that binds him to his family. Heany's admiration for his forbears oozed out of the poem. He 's proud of them and knew their dedication to their job. He has several options of his career

want to read more? →