Envy is pointless. Success is unique to everyone.

 The poem “Digging,” by Seamus Heaney develops many ideas relating to our class theme of success. The author explores the idea of success through his grandfather and father. In the poem Seamus Heaney states “My grandfather cut more turf in a day than any other man on Toner’s bog,”(17,18). By describing his grandfather, Seamus implies that to his grandfather success meant being better than everyone else at something. In the poem Seamus Heaney also discusses his father as well as himself, seamlessly emphasizing the differences between his grandfather, father, and himself. The author does this by stating “my grandfather cut more turf…,” and “to scatter new potatoes…,” within his poem(13,17). By mentioning the subtle differences between them. He develops the theme of success being unique to the individual. This is highlighted even further at the end of the poem Seamus Heaney uses the pen as a symbol by saying “The squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it,”(30,31). Through this line the author amplifies how success can be unique by now allowing the pen to signal how success not only is unique but even unconventional. Using the pen as a symbol also shows that despite being unconventional the author still takes inspiration from this family. This is similar to the poem “To Be of Use,” by Marge Piercy. Mirage Piercy also implies that being unique is important and very relevant. In class I discussed how the author implies that in the past people were proud of their work as it had personality and uniqueness as they used their time and passion to create the tools they work with. Due to their effort, they were proud of themselves and of any work they accomplished, successful.