Symbols in Digging by Seamus Heaneypoem

In the poem Digging, Seamus Heaney explores the differences between generations of hands in his family through retracing the past. It is a poem of love and respect for the achievements of his make and grand sustain as a digger, but at the same epoch comparing the traditional occupation to his own way of digging as a writer. Heaney expresses a sense of isolation and resemblance he feels toward his family by using signifi lavt symbols throughout the poem.In the first stanza, Heaney introduces the readers to his draw up, which he is gist to hold as he finds a sense of belonging and comfort. The pen is described as a weapon, snug as a throttle valve (2), this gives the impression that the pen fits naturally in his hands and symbolizes a make up of protection from the criticisms about his choice of being 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 window.The plane of glass st ands in as a physical separation between father and son, yet it withal corresponds to the psychological barrier that built up in their relationship when Heaney decides to comprise his dream as a writer. In order to do so, he must break away from the familys traditional means of earning a living, just like 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 twain polar occupations.Heaney recognizes that his skill 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, always searching for topics or grave materials that can make his pieces unique and meaningful, just like how his grandfather go along going down and down for the good turf as he digs (23-24).