Symbols in Digging by Seamus Heaneypoem

In the metrical composition Digging, Seamus Heaney explores the differences between generations of work force in his family by retracing the past. It is a poem of love and respect for the achievements of his father and gramps as a digger, but at the same time comparing the handed- quite a little occupation to his own way of take as a writer. Heaney expresses a smack of isolation and analogy he feels toward his family by using signifi fag endt symbols without the poem.In the first stanza, Heaney introduces the readers to his frame, which he is content to go over as he finds a experience of belonging and comfort. The pen is described as a weapon, snug as a gun (2), this gives the impression that the pen fits by nature in his hands and symbolizes a con painsity of protection from the criticisms about his choice of beingness a writer. His decision creates a form barrier or isolation between Heaney and his father, as implied when Heaney observes his father digging through a w indow.The plane of glass stands in as a physical legal separation between father and son, yet it besides corresponds to the psychological barrier that built up in their relationship when Heaney decides to follow his inhalation as a writer. In put up to do so, he must s give the bouncedalise away from the familys traditional mean of earning a living, just deal how a spade makes a curt cuts/through living roots(26-27). Even though Heaney chooses not to become a digger, he still finds a sense of resemblance between the two polar occupations.Heaney recognizes that his expertness with a pen is compatible to his forefathers skill with a spade, as he suggests his pen symbolizes a spade to which he can dig with it(31). Heaney is, in his form of digging, ceaselessly searching for topics or good materials that can make his pieces unique and meaningful, just like how his grandfather continued going down and down for the good turf as he digs (23-24).