Different paths, Same Inspiration: "Digging" and what it tells us about success

     The poem by Seamus Heaney, "Digging," tells the story of a son whose path in life does not match his family's, yet he is still carrying on the legacy they have left. This speaks to how success can have different avenues that carry the same message. It also shows how each person can admire others' success and how they accomplish it. 

    At the beginning of the poem, the difference in professions between the speaker and their father is made quite clear. The speaker is indoors with a pen, insinuating that he is a writer of some sort, while his father is outdoors in the role of a farmer or gardener. However, the speaker describes his father with admiration, as he says, "By God, the old man could handle a spade/Just like his old man." This reminds us that success is not a strict and lonely path. A person can have a totally different route to success and still give credit to other people's paths and goals. 

    As the poem continues, it becomes evident that the speaker that the speaker was inspired by men like his father and grandfather, even though he has "...no spade to follow men like them...." As he finishes the poem, he claims he will dig with a pen rather than a spade. This indicates that while he has a different goal and profession, he still has the same inspiration and overall idea for success that he shares with men of other professions. 

    This goes to show us that success has many different faces, and one person can be successful on a different path than another person WHILE having a similar driving passion and goal. Too often success is seen as a singular thing when it is actually a broad spectrum. This poem allows us to see that each person has a unique calling that still counts as success, and even if you are breaking cycles, you can still be proud of what you are striving for in life.