Seamus Heaney Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Seamus Heaney - Assignment ExampleHowever, although these themes contextually appear to be poets major thematic concerns yet these themes are as well as a reflection of prevalent human behavior and interests. Both the poems Follower and Digging take the readers on a journey down(p) the memory lane where the poet is sight 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 childs feelings about his future when he will in like manner get a chance to walk in his fathers 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 base where he can never expect himself to reach that point. Yet as he grows up at last he out shines his fathers glory and succeeds his father and then his father is the one who looks up to his give-and-takes success.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. Self-identity of a psyche is the sole constituent that makes up a personality of a human being because it is a induction against an individuals individuality and an independent existence as it forms the foundation of a mans ego and self-esteem. Subsequently, it is a natural human instinct to struggle in life in distinguish to retain his independence and never let another individual question his identity for this reason each 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 Poets feeling regarding his life history. As Kenneally (1995) also states, the cabalistic 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 Heaneys poetry and discussion of Irish cultural Politics have in common is Identity (p.180). Kenneally also reiterates that Heaneys poems are, carefully structured to give the notion of identity pride of place in Heaneys 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,