What Is Heany’s Attitude to His Forefathers As Depicted in the Poem ‘Digging’?

Answer

What is Heaney’s attitude to his forefathers as depicted in the poem “Digging”? [2020, 2017] ✪✪✪  

In “Digging” (1966), Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) shows his deep respect and love for his father and grandfather. Heaney admires their hard work as farmers. He admires their strength and skill. He also realizes that his own work will be different. Instead of digging with a spade, he will dig with his pen as a poet.

Respect for His Father and Grandfather: Heaney watches his father digging outside the window. The sound of the spade reminds him of his childhood. It was a time when his father used to dig potatoes and his grandfather used to cut turf. He describes his father proudly:

“By God, the old man could handle a spade.”

It means his father was very skilled with a spade. This shows his deep admiration. 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.

Connection and Change: The poet feels a deep connection with the farming work of his forefathers. Although Heaney respects them, he knows his life is different. He says he has “no spade” like his forefathers. This means he is not skilled at this farming work. He says he has a “squat pen” between his thumb and finger, and he will dig with it.

“The squat pen…

I’ll dig with it.”

It means he will continue the tradition of his forefathers’ hard work, but through writing instead of farming.

To sum up, Heaney’s attitude toward his forefathers is full of respect, pride, and love. He honors their labor and keeps their spirit alive through poetry. “Digging” shows that though the tools may change, the value of honest work remains the same.