Tip #1: Edit, edit, edit, and edit again!

In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential. At first, Heaney shows that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill that his father and grandfather have. The speaker then becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will measure up to the legacy his father and grandfather have left behind. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, as he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous throughout the poem as an example of how we should believe in our abilities as we reach for individuality.

In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential to become a writer. At first, Heaney demonstrates that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill of his father and grandfather. Later, the speaker becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will satisfy his family’s legacy. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, as he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous throughout the poem to show how the character strives to separate himself from the rest.

New and Improved Short Story Intro with Outline

Seamus Heaney uses characterization in "Digging" to create a speaker who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes he has a valuable skill. Immediately, Heaney shows that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill that his father and grandfather have. The speaker becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will measure up to the legacy his father and grandfather have left behind. Heaney ultimately empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, and he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney uses the speaker as an example of how we should believe in our abilities as we reach for individuality.

I.               In the beginning of the poem, Heaney shows us that the speaker respects hard work.

A.                 “By God, the old man could handle a spade. / Just like his old man.”

B.                  “My grandfather cut more turf in a day / Than any other man on Toner’s bog”

II.             Throughout the poem, the speaker does not believe that his writing measures up to the hard work of his father and grandfather.

A.                 “Once I carried him milk in a bottle / corked sloppily with paper”

B.                 “But I’ve no spade to follow men like them.”

III.           At the end of this poem, Heaney turns the speakers view and gives him some self-confidence.

A.                 “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests.”

B.                 “I’ll dig with it”

Post 4: DRAFT Introduction Paragraph for Process Essay

Characterization is a tool that has as great importance as any character in a story. Without characterization in "Digging", the poem would have no muse, no voice to give meaning and value to the words of the poem. Characterization in “Digging” provides crucial information about the character and insight into his reactions to the world. Heaney uses the characters in this way to relate to the challenges that we confront when trying to become individuals.