Seamus Heaney - Assignment Example

Seamus Heaney Seamus Heaney is considered to be one of the popular poets in Irish Literature as Johnson (2005) also states, “Heaney has been described by the American poet Robert Lowell as ‘The greatest Irish poet since [W.B.] Yeats’, and by the critic John Carey as ‘The greatest living poet writing in English’” (p.263). He uses his words and poetry as a tool to demonstrate and describe his personal interpretation of various dogmas of society pertaining life and identity. Consequently, the readers observe that the poet deals with some common themes like self-identity, human roots, role reversal and progression and respect for hard labor in the majority of his poems hence all these themes are also incorporated in the poems Follower and Digging. However, although these themes contextually appear to be poet’s major thematic concerns yet these themes are also a reflection of universal human behavior and interests. Both the poems Follower and Digging take the readers on a journey down the memory lane where the poet is observed to be recalling two incidents of joy and pride from his pasts regarding his father and grandfather. The Follower depicts a tale of a young child who idealizes his father and his profession i.e. farming and reflects on the child’s feelings about his future when he will also get a chance to walk in his father’s footsteps and will be able to work on his beloved lands. The poem also deals with an interesting phenomenon of life i.e. life comes in full circle and evolution under the context that when a child is young he idealizes his father as he sees him at a high pedestal where he can never expect himself to reach that point. Yet as he grows up ultimately he outshines his father's glory and succeeds his father and then his father is the one who looks up to his son's success. On the other hand in the poem Digging the poet talks about the pride he feels in being a farmer just like his father and grandfather. He states his joy at the laborious work that his ancestors have done and reflects on the contentment of an Irish man over his accomplishment in life that is by working hard in the fields throughout his life. However, he also hints upon the changing times where he thinks that his pen is his weapon to succeed in life although he is not ashamed of his roots, in fact, he still finds it delightful to work on the lands along with using the pen as a tool for a better future. The self-identity of a person is the sole constituent that makes up a personality of a human being because it is a proof against an individual's individuality and an independent existence as it forms the foundation of a man's ego and self-esteem. Subsequently, it is a natural human instinct to struggle in life in order to retain his independence and never let another individual question his identity for this reason every individual feels pride over his roots as his heritage also provides him self-confidence. Hence Heaney is also observed to be extensively incorporating the theme of identity in both the poems Followers and Digging which reflects on the Poet’s feeling regarding his life history. As Kenneally (1995) also states, “the mystical authority of poetry has its analogue in the mystical authority of a particular conception of Ireland, and it is no accident that one of the terms which discussion of Heaney’s poetry and discussion of Irish cultural Politics have in common is ‘Identity’” (p.180). Kenneally also reiterates that Heaney’s poems are, “carefully structured to give the notion of identity pride of place in Heaney’s critical orientation” (p.180). The readers while reading the poem since the importance that the poet puts in the profession of his ancestors as he believes that farming is his actual identity although he might seek other means to succeed in life. As the poet also states in Digging, “He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deep To scatter new potatoes that we picked Loving their cool hardness in our hands…My grandfather could cut more turf in a day Than any other man on Toner's bog” (Malan, 2007, p.90). Similarly, in the follower, the opening line of the poem states that "My father worked with a horse-plow" this also reflects the importance of self-identity and his roots in the poet's point of view because although farming is considered to be a commoner's profession yet he feels proud of his roots. As it is also mentioned by Johnson (2005), “At a time when the streets of London and the excitements beyond of Europe and America were more on the mind than tilling the native sod, Heaney emphasized ‘roots in the soil’” (p.264). The theme of Role Reversal is another universal human behavior and reality that Heaney utilizes in both the poems but under slightly varied contexts. The first impression of the title of the poem Follower in itself hints upon the fact that some sort of pattern or something is being followed which illustrates the cliché that life comes full circle. Subsequently, the poem ascertains the readers about the undisturbed and unstoppable circle of life which involves the ever-changing human relationships and inspirations. This means that if at one stage in life an individual's parents were his inspiration and he desired to follow them in their footsteps in the next stage of life he not only follows but goes beyond the level of his predecessors. As it is also stated in the poem, “I wanted to grow up and plow, to close one eye, stiffen my arm. All I ever did was follow…But today it is my father who keeps stumbling behind me and will not go away” (Laidlaw, 1989, p.687). On the other hand in the poem Digging although the poet again talks about role reversal in this poem the context is different because in this poem the poet reflects upon the differences between his present and future and his ancestor's present and future. He states that his forefathers' contentment with their lot in life resulted from the strenuous work that they did every day of his life. However, for the poet his satisfaction does not come from working on the land but by using the pen as his weapon to succeed in life. As it is also mentioned in the poem, "But I've no spade to follow men like them between my finger and my thumb the squat pen rests I'll dig with it” (p.90). Hence the poet uses the word Digging as a metaphor that symbolizes the overall struggle of human beings in their respective lives to achieve their individual goals. Hence the change of priorities with the passage of time can also be interpreted as a role reversal. The theme of role reversal is also interlinked with the theme of progression in Heaney’s works as one highlights the importance of the other. As also observed in the poem Follower that the reversal of the child’s and the father’s role is a sign of life because it illustrates that through this transformation nature bestows human beings with yet another chance to explore life anew. similarly, the contrasting priorities of the poet and his ancestors is also a sign of progression because with the changing times the world is evolving and transforming into a better place where the past acts as the foundation for a better and bright future. Another common theme that the readers observe that Heaney has extensively talked about in his works is the theme of his respect for hard labor. The purpose of this theme in the majority of his works can be interpreted as the poet's attempt to pay a tribute and appreciate his countrymen for their dedication to their work of farming. As it is also observed that both the poems project the poet's love for the work that his family has been doing for centuries and his joy in being able to get a chance to work exactly like his ancestors. As he says in Followers, "An expert He would set the wing and fit the bright steel-pointed sock. I wanted to grow up and plow…" (p.687). similarly, he states in Digging, "To scatter new potatoes that we picked Loving their cool hardness in our hands By God, the old man could handle a spade, just like his old man” (p.90). The use of nautical references in various parts of the poem also appears to be an attempt to stress that farming is not an easy job but it is a skill that requires patience, hard work and experience. As also observed that Heaney makes reference to the father’s shoulders to be like the billowing sail of a ship and the phrase “mapping the furrow” again shows that farming is like navigating a ship. Apart from the thematic concerns of Heaney’s poetry that enlighten the readers about universal human interests and behavior an interesting phenomenon that the poet presents is that a pen is as powerful as any other weapon. He states in the text, “Between my finger and my thumb the squat pen rests; as snug as a gun” (p.90). This verse demonstrates the importance and the power of words because according to the poet’s perception of life words are the strongest weapon to deal with any form of crisis or problem. As they hold the power of bringing about a change as well as triggering human beings into action. As Carter and McRae (2004) also state that, “Heaney’s twist on the theme of Digging is that he has a pen in his hand, not a gun, recalling Shelley’s dictum that pen is mightier than the sword” (p.165-166). The last line of the poem Follower that states, “It is my father who keeps stumbling Behind me, and will not go away” (p.687) can also be interpreted as the poet's attempt to reflect on the overall social behavior of the young generation towards their parents and other old people. The reason being that the last four words of the line hold a certain tone of irritation over parents' habit of seeking help from their children in old age and smugness over their accomplishments in life. Hence this can be perceived as Heaney's attempt to make his readers realize their mistake i.e. that looking after one's parents is not a burden but it is a responsibility of an individual to take care of them as the parents nurtured and protected him when he was young. On the other hand, it can also be interpreted as a resolution on the part of the poet to ascertain that he will also dedicate his life to the profession of farming just like his father as for them it the most respectable and delightful occupation. On a broader level, it can be applied as the poet's advice to the young generation to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and feel pride over their heritage and roots rather than diminishing or boycotting all their relationships with their legacy. Hence it is observed that Heaney uses the power of his words to depict various universal realities and mechanisms of life. Moreover, in his works, various contextual observations help in better understanding various human interests and realities. Such an amalgamation of ideas along with the use of simple diction and poetic rhythm enhances the beauty of his works. As Johnson (2005) also says, “Heaney’s own analogy for poetry – ‘like a harp asleep in some dark chamber, waiting to be touched’ – echoes this idea of lyric poetry as an introspective activity, which remains closely rooted to its musical origins” (p.265). Reference: Carter, R. and McRae, J., 2004. The Routledge guide to modern English writing: Britain and Ireland. London: Routledge. Johnson, D., 2005. The popular and the canonical. London: Routledge.  Kenneally, M., 1995.Poetry in Irish contemporary literature. Buckinghamshire: Colin Smythe Limited. Laidlaw, S., 1989. Scribner literature series. New York: Scribner Laidlaw. Malan, R., 1995. New poetry works a workbook anthology. Claremont: New Africa Books Ltd. Read More