Respect and Appreciation: Heaney expresses deep admiration for his father and grandfather's work as diggers. The poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the strength and dedication of their labor.
Nostalgia and Memory: The poem evokes a sense of longing for the past and the connection to his family's heritage. Heaney remembers the sounds and smells of the digging process, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
Ambivalence and Internal Conflict: While Heaney admires his ancestors' work, he also acknowledges the physical demands and hardship it entailed. There's a hint of reluctance in his own choice of a different path, writing instead of digging.
Determination and Resilience: Despite the potential conflict, Heaney ultimately embraces his own artistic path with determination. He uses his pen as a tool for digging into his own memories and emotions, linking his work to the physical labor of his ancestors.
Simplicity and Directness: The poem's language is straightforward and unpretentious, reflecting the simplicity of the physical labor it describes. Heaney uses everyday language and imagery, creating a sense of authenticity and closeness to the subject matter.
Overall, the tone of "Digging" can be described as:
* Reverent: Towards his ancestors' work and their legacy.
* Nostalgic: For the past and his connection to his family's heritage.
* Reflective: On his own chosen path and its relationship to his family's history.
* Determined: To find his own way of digging, through his writing.
It's important to note that these tones are not mutually exclusive, and they intertwine to create a rich and nuanced portrait of Heaney's relationship to his family, his heritage, and his own artistic identity.