Digging Seamus Heaney was born on April 13, 1939, on a farm in

Anyone that came in contact with him, could tell that was his biggest and most honorable trait. He knew when enough was enough, he knew when to leave the bar, and he also knew when his granddaughters wanted attention and affection from him. Growing up across the street from my grandpa, I was able to watch and observe him go through many stages of life. He was my biggest trainer of moderation, self-discipline, and love. He may not have always stopped when others thought he should and he may not have spent as much time with us as we thought we deserved, but he knew the right things to do for himself or other. I was so easily influenced as a child, that I was affected by the right and wrong things I would see happening. While my grandpa didn’t always do the right thing, he always showed me how it was wrong and what I could do to make it

A Comparison of Death of a Naturalist and Digging by Seamus Heaney The poems 'Death of a Naturalist' and 'Digging' have many similarities, and contrasts. Some of the reoccurring themes in the two poems include memories of childhood and changes in the life of the writer. There are contrasts too, in 'Death of a Naturalist'; the writer is concentrating on himself and his own experiences in life, rather than the experiences of others. In 'Digging', the opposite is true, as the writer concentrates mainly on the events in other people's lives, namely his father and grandfather.

There have been countless influential people in my life that I’ve come across. One who was a meticulous inspiration continues to be my grandfather. My grandmother had remarried to the one I call “grandpa” when I was at the age of five, and they both took to each other’s grandchildren as their own. With my mother and me only living a mile down the road from their farmhouse out in the country, I’d spent heaps amount of time there as a child. Indeed, I had been without a father but my grandfather stepped up to the plate and had taken me under his wing and willingly played the personification of a father figure.

and that he was a proud person, who most of the time though he was better than everyone else as

He was a 100-percenter in whatever he undertook, and demanded and expected excellence in performance – one of the keys he considered necessary for ongoing success in both personal and business life. The “battle” was never won, and each new day was simply a new opportunity to excel (see Father’s letter to his granddaughter, Margaret Ann Everist on page _____).

His constant pursuit and drive to better conditions for himself and his family as a merchant, storeowner and patriarch was extremely admirable, especially considering the dismal conditions from which he originated. I’m extremely grateful that my great-great-grandfather decided to immigrate to America. It is his sacrifices and struggles which have resulted in the large, loving and supportive Quan family, which I am privileged to be a part of

He was hard working, honest, and the smartest man I've ever met. In 94 years, i can assure you, he never broke a promise, never let someone down, and absolutely never disappointed his family name. Gramp excelled in an era in which nothing was done for you, there were no computers, and internet. An era in which you had to absorb, listen, and learn, something he was particularly good at. He was successful at everything, especially while at the helm of his trucking and logging company for over 50 years. One of the most demanding industries there is in our area, an industry that was constantly changing, and he never missed a beat. Gramp was always ahead of the curve, the best of the best, and a pioneer in his industry, and he took pride in that.

His grandmother was the person who gave him advice as a child and he listened to everything she taught him. To dream big and no matter where you come from one man can change the world.

He always conferred on important topics with his mother and his father. He was the son of a sharecropper and the grandson of a slave.

Entry #2: From my grandfather, from what I always remember from him, would be his sense of humor. He would always be happy and laughing. He disliked any sort of conflict and would rather be kept happy. He was a happy grandfather, depicting him from the stereotype of bitter old elders.

as if he doesn't feel that he is as good as if father and grandfather

In his poem “Blackberry Picking,” Seamus Heaney describes his experience as he picked blackberries; however, he creates a deeper poem by relating his experience to life. Heaney’s use of colorful diction, simile, and imagery allow his audience to envision and go through the same experience that he went through as he advises that people should their time. Heaney’s use of colorful diction allows the reader to get a deeper understanding of the poem as it draws the reader in. In line 3 of his poem, Heaney states that ripe blackberries resemble “glossy purple clot[s].”

My grandfather’s role at that time was different. He used to also take care of my brother and me. I remember my grandfather was quite energetic. He used to work at a company called Scepter; in the piping division; as a machine operator. After school, he and I would take the bus to travel to Scarborough Mall Center for groceries. I enjoyed these trips with him. I remember always asking my grandpa to slow down or stop because I was tired. He was good at teaching me the mechanics of life. He would say, “You must be active in life to get things done.” Another thing he said was, “Work hard, do well in school to get a good job.” His teachings were practical. He was also great at spoiling me. Whenever we went out for groceries, if I saw something I wanted he would buy it for me. I loved spending time with him. Those trips were special to me. When we got home; he would read the newspaper and write

Different ways of thinking from composers has led to a greater understanding of the meaning of wealth. Similarly in Digging composed in 1966 Heaney exemplifies a localised definition of wealth. Heaney values family, heritage and expertise and ignores the global paradigms. Heaney uses personal language to depict his family is hardworking but not wealthy, symbolised by the paper cork. Despite this however the tone of the poem remains positive and admiration is depicted in the line “by God that man could handle a spade.” Imagery and onomatopoeia contribute also to Heaney’s admiration for his families work “a clean rasping sound.” Although throughout the poem there is a change from parochial to a potential more global influence moving from the local to global. Refusing to limit himself to his families career. Contrastingly in funeral Rites written in 1975 Heaney addresses the global issue of violence, offering local solutions. Heaney alters his definition of worth in response to global violence by valuing peace and unity. (textual detail ,add closing sentence)

In late 20th century Ireland there was a thirty-year conflict known as “The Troubles” that came about due to the systematic discrimination against Catholics. During this violent period, a new poet named Seamus Heaney addressed this strife in his poetry. Heaney was born on April 13, 1939, in Castledawson, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland where he lived in his family farmhouse as a Catholic in a vastly Protestant part of the country (Pool). He discovered the works of Ted Hughes, Patrick Kavanagh, and Robert Frost while studying English at Queen’s University and was inspired to write works of his own. According to Poetry Foundation in 1995, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature "for works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past." Through his use of imagery and regionalism in the poems “Digging” and “The Singer’s House,” Heaney creates nostalgic poems that detail his heritage as an Irish American making his voice significant because it illustrates candid and accurate aspects of identity and life in Ireland. It is because of this that many people around the world still read and appreciate his work.