The Imagery Used in Digging by Seamus Heaney

In most families, fathers usually take pride when receiving comments from their sons such as the term “like father like son,” which puts them in a position to follow their fathers’ footsteps. Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet, revealing his feelings on not pursuing his family or Irish traditions. Heaney's father and grandfather are fond of their works with the land, while Heaney is devoted of his work with writing poetry. In “digging”, by Seamus Heaney utilizes imagery, diction, and symbolism to indicate a desire for keeping the hard work legacy alive in one’s own way, making this poem a statement about the larger nature of work.

Heaney’s recall of the past contains much in his poem “Digging” using imagery. Heaney uses excessive number of words that suits with one of the five senses, sight. The poem states, “Till his straining…/where he was digging” (lines 6-9), Heaney describes what he saw out from his window at the garden where his father once worked on.

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The author maintains, “curt cuts” (line 26) which was made by his grandfather when cutting turf. Heaney’s memories and his re-creation on what’s happening allows them to feel like they’re there. Hearing was another sense that Heaney used to demonstrate imagery. It states, “a clean rasping sound/the spade sinks into gravelly ground” (Lines 3-4). It seems that the sound he hears outside his window is familiar to him and the thought of his father came to mind. He describes how he hears the sound on line 3 and 4 even before he looks out the window.

The way they were worded made it very realistic for the readers.

In “Digging,” Heaney attempts to justify himself as a poet by using diction. It is noticeable through his explanations that he would rather take his own path as it is said in “…no spade to follow men like them” (line 28). He already made up his mind that he will not take the same line of work as his father or grandfather before him. He then notices that it is possible for him to respect his history and depart from it. Lines 15-16, He brings up his grandfather and how his father is just as good as him. However, It states, “Between my finger and thumb/I’ll dig with it” (Lines 29-30), He also notices that writing is completely different to 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.

The sum of “Digging” is developed on the symbolism of the pen as a spade. At the introduction of the poem, the narrator seems to have a hard time escaping from the traditions of his forefathers and justifying his love for writing. This is shown when he pointed out the words “live roots” (line 27). Using this pen/spade as a symbol, the speaker suggests that he can go on with digging like his forefathers but using another tool. This shows Heaney’s understanding that even though he has chosen to leave from his history, he can still honor it as a poet through his writing. On lines 1-2, “Between my finger and my thumb/ The squat pen rests; snug as a gun” to clarify his point. This simile comparing a pen to a gun serves several purposes. For an example, it indicates the power that writing can have on someone.

Overall, “Digging” represents Heaney’s journey toward both honoring and departing from his history and finally feeling that his choice to be a poet is justified. While his calling may not involve physically digging like his father or grandfather before him, he can still “dig” with his writing. a desire for keeping the hard work legacy alive in one’s own way, making this poem a statement about the larger nature of work.