An Appreciation of the poem Digging by Seamus Heaney

A detailed Summary of An Appreciation of the poem Digging 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 wrong.

The poem is written in free verse. Although the first two stanzas of the poem show the start of regularity and rhyme, this changes to the use of free verse continuing to the end of the poem. This form of free verse allows the poet a freedom for subtle rhythmic variety, for example using assonance. Or making words look like they rhyme. Which is shown quite regularly through this poem.

Free verse also complements the style of the poet 'connecting' with the reader in the way that it seems like the poet is writing directly to the reade

In the second stanza of the poem he uses the word "gravelly" not only to create the image of digging, but can be seen as "symbolic." Seamus Heaney is alluding to the one crop law that was imposed on Ireland by England. The law later blamed for the famine that struck Ireland when the potato crop failed. Seamus Heaney shows the ground is 'grave like' because it was the physical cause for the famine. 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.

Seamus Heaney is careful n choosing the word "gun" - almost a starting point in what else that he chooses to say as a "weapon" for the subjects raised in the rest of the poem.

Seamus Heaney is able to document time successfully. In the opening lines of the poem, it is as if he sets the beginning of his memory or starting to tell the 'story' of his father 'digging.'

Seamus Heaney shows a clever technique of bringing the reader to his memories as well as how he documents time to the present or the past.

In the fourth stanza he uses it in this way:

This creates an artistic view of what seems a simple act of 'digging potatoes'

As Heaney recalls a memory about his Father digging, he shows his love and admiration by his use of alliteration that creates a powerful image for the reader:

Heaney also shows appreciation of accuracy and the skill needed in order to be a farmer. He uses delicate language to describe an act of digging which can't really be described as 'delicate.' This shows to be a powerful contrast.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Seamus Heaney, Father Grandfather, Heaney Nicking, Ireland England, seamus heaney, father grandfather, free verse, father digging, admiration respect, , 'digging potatoes', poem seamus heaney, bright edge deep, true intention, word gun, buried bright edge, recalls memory, stanza poem, towards father grandfather,

Approximate Word count = 1518
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English