Revised intro and outline

In the poem "Digging" by Seamus Heaney, Heaney uses symbolism to show how he doesn't follow in the footsteps of his father but follows his dreams to write, while still showing great respect for his father and grandfather.He displays how we don't have to follow through with moral obligations if we want to branch out and be successful at our own things. Heaney also shows how guilt plays a role in doing so.

1. In the poem Heaney uses symbolism to show how he uses a pen to dig as he writes unlike his father and grandfather.He displays the guilt that comes with not following in there footsteps and becoming a writer.

a. "But i've no spade to follow men like them."

b. "by God, the old man could handle a spade, just like his old man."

c. "between my finger and my thumb, the squat pen rests; snug as a gun." 

2. Heaney also shows a lot of respect for his father and father and t almost seems he wishes he could be there digging with them.

a. " once I carried him milk in a bottle."

b. " My grandfather cut more turf in a day than any other man on Toner's bog."

3. Heaney makes it clear that guilt is a factor in following your own dreams. 

a. "But i've no spade to follow men like them."

Heaney uses symbolism to represent how he doesn't physically dig and follow in the footsteps of his father but he 'digs' with his pen."But i've no spade to follow men like them" he states and then goes on to say "the squat pen rests. I dig with it." He is following in his elders footsteps by 'digging' into poetry with the pen that rests in his hand, snug as a gun.