Lesson Topic Digging by Seamus Heaney Basic Understanding

Lesson Topic: Digging by Seamus Heaney Basic Understanding, Analysis and Interpretation Name of Teacher: Susan Strikovsky Target Class: 10 th Grade Lesson Place in the Curriculum: Lesson Three

Table of Contents • • Introduction Background The Poem- Digging Analysis and Interpretation Feelings of Inadequacy Accepting his Gift Double Meanings Conclusion

• What kind of expectations does the man have? • Is this good or bad? https: //www. pexels. com/photo/man-watering-the-plant-during-daytime-162637/ • Who has expectations about how we choose to live our life?

Background https: //commons. wikimedia. org/wiki/File: Seamus_Heaney_Photograph_Edit. jpg#/media/File: Seamus_Heaney_Photograph_Edit. jpg Seamus Heaney (2009) Born: April 13 th 1939 Place: Castledawson, Northern Ireland Died: August 30 th , 2013 (aged 74) Blackrock, Dublin Occupation: Poet, playwright, translator Nationality: Irish

The Poem- Digging by Seamus Heaney

Background Digging is a poem which starts with the speaker of the poem, most likely Seamus Heaney himself, at his desk, ready to start writing. He gets distracted by the sound of his father outside, working in the garden, and this reminds him about how his ancestors devoted their lives to working the land.

Analysis and Interpretation Why is the poem called Digging? What can you infer about the content of this poem from this title? On a basic level, the poet is looking back with pride at the digging and farming that his family has done over the generations. “My grandfather could cut more turf in a day Than any other man on Toner’s bog. ”

Feelings of Inadequacy The word “Digging” has a double meaning in this poem. Not only is Heaney reflecting on his family’s farming ability, but we can also see that he has a sense of inadequacy about his choice to become a writer instead of following in his ancestors’ footsteps. “But I’ve no spade to follow men like them. ”

Accepting his Gift By the end of the poem, he realises that he no longer needs to feel inadequate. His spade is his pen. “Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it. ”

Double Meanings Can you think of other meanings behind the word digging? Heaney is a writer, so digging could refer to the kind of investigating and soul-searching writing involves.

Double Meanings The speaker also spends lots of time digging into his past. Heaney is digging into his roots and family's history. While the title may appear straightforward at first, it takes on multiple meanings the more we dig into it.

Today’s Lesson was about Digging: Basic Understanding, Analysis and Interpretation Next Lesson will be about Digging: Background Information and More Analysis