Death of a Naturalist | Criticism

This literature criticism consists of approximately 4 pages of analysis & critique of Death of a Naturalist.
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Death of a Naturalist | Criticism

This literature criticism consists of approximately 4 pages of analysis & critique of Death of a Naturalist.
This section contains 942 words
(approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Critical Essay by W. S. Di Piero

[Heaney's] work, poetry and prose alike, is rooted in the need to penetrate, claim, and express the rough exigencies of history. He seeks coherence and continuity. "Digging," the opening poem in Death of a Naturalist … and the initial poem in [Poems: 1965–1975], announces the work that will follow. Writing by a window, the poet hears the "clean rasping sound" of his father digging turf, and in that sound hears his grandfather's work before him. Digging becomes at once a signal of origins and legacies and a sounding of Heaney's own poetic ambitions. He has "no spade to follow men like them," so he will dig instead with his pen…. The metaphor is meant to articulate the method by which the poet will carry on, while at the same time departing from, the family tradition. Although the fancy may be somewhat strained and self-important, Heaney's intention is clear enough: he...

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This section contains 942 words
(approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Critical Essay by W. S. Di Piero
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Critical Essay by W. S. Di Piero from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.