From the poetry you have studied show how the parent/child relationship is one of strong emotions
Curran McKay
In Heany’s Digging we are greeted by a scene depicting him, in his bedroom performing his passion of writing. Upon looking out the window he is immediately greeted by his father in his passion of work. This poem is one of separation of family tradition and the tenacity of a poet.
From Heanys language we immediately see he has respect for his father. The enjamed lines reflect his father’s skill and the flashback is representative of when his father was at his peak. It is also clear that both the parent and the son are equally dedicated to their profession as the language mirrors Heanys pen “snug as a gun” while his father “could handle a spade.” He uses this term to show how he wants to be skilled and accurate in his works. Just like a gun is made to fit the hand of shooter, so too does Heany’s pen easily fit in his own. These two lines also emphasise Heanys admiration of his father and the fact that he has broken tradition When Heany goes on to talk about his grandfather, he is himself as a young boy glad to be out working with the men. This ideal changes in the adult Heany; “But I’ve no spade to follow men like them.” Heany is showing that although he admires his father and his career, he is not willing to follow him and prefers to practise his own skill of poetry:
