Explain with reference:- “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests.”
Digging is a notable literary work by Seamus Heaney. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Digging.
Answer
Explain with reference:- “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests.
These lines are from Seamus Heaney’s (1939-2013) poem “Digging,” the opening poem of his debut 1966 poetry collection, Death of a Naturalist. In this poem, Heaney compares his work as a poet to the work of his father and grandfather, who were farmers. The lines show he will continue the tradition of his forefathers’ hard work, but through writing instead of farming.
At the beginning of the poem, Heaney watches his father digging outside the window. The sound of the spade reminds him of his family’s tradition of working on the land. His father digs potatoes, and his grandfather cuts turf. He remembers his father was very skilled with a spade. He remembers how his grandfather could cut more turf in a day, more than any other man. He sees both men as hardworking, strong, and skilled. But then Heaney realizes that he has “no spade” and cannot continue their kind of work.
In the closing lines, the poet says:
“Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I’ll dig with it.”
It means he has found his own way of digging. The “pen” becomes his tool, just like the spade was his father’s. For him, “dig” will be writing poetry.
Hence, these lines express Heaney’s love and respect for his forefather and his pride in their labor. At the same time, they show his belief that poetry is also a kind of hard work. With his pen, Heaney continues his family’s spirit of honest effort in a new form.