Follower and Digging - Seamus Heaney.

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Kay Wilson                22-1-2004

Follower and Digging

Seamus Heaney

There are many similarities between the two poems. First of all, both poems are written in the same tone. Heaney talks about his father and grandfather with a great deal of admiration and pride. In ‘Follower’ he calls his father ‘An expert’ and tells how he used to imitate his father, and wished to grow up to be just like him. In ‘Digging’ Heaney compliments his father and grandfather with;

‘By God, the old man could handle a spade.

Just like his old man.’

He respects them, looks up to them and wants to follow in their footsteps. Both poems are set in a rural background and talk about working on the land and doing manual work. Heaney uses carefully chosen words to show that his father and grandfather are skilled in their professions such as ‘Narrowed and Angled’ in ‘Follower’ and ‘Nicking and slicing neatly’ in ‘Digging’ which all suggest very precise movements.

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This poem is about the reversal of roles between father and son through life and Heaney ends the poem with

‘But today

It is my father who keeps stumbling

Behind me, and will not go away’

And I think this is meant in the same fondness as his father had for him when he was younger. He is now looking out for his father. This poem is also about the relationships between generations and the fondness they have for each other.

In ‘Follower’, Heaney uses different poetic devices such as onomatopoeia as he describes his father’s ...

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