Final answer:
The extended metaphor in "digging" is an implied comparison between the speaker's occupation as a writer and his family's tradition of manual labor, specifically digging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extended metaphor in "digging" is an implied comparison between the:
The extended metaphor in the poem "Digging" by Seamus Heaney is an implied comparison between the speaker's occupation as a writer and his family's tradition of manual labor, specifically digging. The speaker juxtaposes his own writing process with the physical act of digging to explore themes of identity, heritage, and the relationship between the past and present.
For example, in the poem, the speaker describes his father and grandfather as skilled diggers, emphasizing their physical labor and connection to the land. He then compares his own occupation as a writer to the act of digging, suggesting that both pursuits require skill, precision, and a deep connection to one's roots. By using this extended metaphor, Heaney explores the idea that writing, like digging, is a way of uncovering hidden truths and preserving a sense of history and identity.