Question

Read the poem ‘Digging’ by Seamus Heaney, given below.

Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests; snug as a gun. Under my window, a clean rasping sound When the spade sinks into gravelly ground: My father, digging. I look down Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds Bends low, comes up twenty years away Stooping in rhythm through potato drills Where he was digging. The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft Against the inside knee was levered firmly. He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deep To scatter new potatoes that we picked, Loving their cool hardness in our hands. Digging by Seamus Heaney

Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the given questions.

1. What is the significance of the comparison of the pen to a gun in the second line of the poem?         1
   1. It highlights the violence and aggression associated with writing.
   2. It emphasizes the power of the written word to bring about change.
   3. It suggests that the act of writing can be just as dangerous as using a weapon.
   4. It demonstrates the speaker's admiration for their father's skill with both a pen and a spade.
2. Which of the following statements best describes the speaker's attitude towards his father's work in the poem?      1
   1. The speaker admires his father's hard work and dedication to his task.
   2. The speaker is critical of his father's choice of profession and feels it is beneath him.
   3. The speaker is indifferent to his father's work and does not place much value on it.
   4. The speaker is resentful of his father for making them participate in the work.
3. Complete the sentence appropriately.       1
   The poet’s use of a metaphor in the line "The coarse boot nestled on the lug, ...” compares ______.
4. What can be inferred about the setting of the poem based on the description of the sound of the spade sinking into the ground?      1
   1. The setting is rural and quiet.
   2. The setting is urban and noisy.
   3. The setting is industrial, yet serene.
   4. The setting is suburban and bustling.
5. What is the effect of the repetition of the word "digging" throughout the poem?     1

Answer 1

1. It suggests that the act of writing can be just as dangerous as using a weapon.
2. The speaker admires his father's hard work and dedication to his task.
3. ...the boot to a part of a machine.
4. The setting is rural and quiet.
5. 
   
   • emphasizes the physical labour involved in the work,
   • creates a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem.
   • underscores the speaker's appreciation for the effort and skill required to do the work well.
   • draws attention to the importance of the work and creates a sense of continuity and connection between past and present.