Digging is a pretty good example of how Heaney uses the global to promote the local. The important thing to remember is that times have changed - Heaney isn't really in a position to be able to continue family tradition by becoming a turf-cutter (ok, so he could if he REALLY wanted to...) but he can spread the values by writing about it ("pen/"I'll dig with it"), which for this purpose is a much more effective method of 'continuing 'local' values than if he took up a career as a turf-cutter.
Writing of course, is a distinctly non-irish thing. Historically, there isn't even a written gaelic language - they survived purely on oral history alone, etc etc.
In terms of 'philosophy', maybe it's worth thinking about the fact that a) instead of writing some form of dashing poetry, he's literally digging up old stories and old values that are currently dying out. To top this off, his poems are very very well known - didn't he recieve the nobel prize, or the literary equivalent of the nobel prize? Can't remember exactly. So yes it's true, he is using a "global" method of communication to reach a "global" audience, but in my opinion he does a lot to establish a kind of 'link' between the past and present, re-inventing the local to become part of the new global world (through his poetry).
shimmy&shine said:
woops! sorry i f i hurt anyone's feelings, my intentions weren't too be negative but i was just curious, and I'm sure that others are too, what her marks were (or will be). I'm sure you'll be a great help too anyone that asks! really.
My only issue with this sort of thing is this: I've observed since my HSC year that subsequent generations of HSC-ers are becoming more and more marks-based. It's getting so bad that within a few years, I'm expecting people to "judge" the value/relevance of the advice I dole out purely based on a number I earnt years ago (and since I didn't get full marks for both EE1 and EE2, under this system I'm the type of person "people shouldn't listen to") that measured how well I responded to essay questions at a particular time and under particular conditions. What people forget is that sometimes you actually know more about something AFTER you've been examined on it. After you've had time to reflect, get some additional education (read: uni! lol, and tutoring experience), you can actually be in a better position to help others.
A mark says nothing about how well I can communicate ideas through discussion, nor other qualities such as being able to help people understand particular concepts. When you think about it, much of what goes on in forums is decidedly peer-tutor based. We're not grilling each other on grammar or how well we're answering questions - we're just pooling our knowledge and trying to help each other. No matter what kind of marks you get, there's no reason to assume you can can't help someone (even in a small way) just because you're not an 'expert' that got full marks or something.
On a side note, I know many people who DO get full marks in particular subjects. Their notes may be extensively detailed, but in terms of being able to pick up where you're having difficulties AND being able to help you overcome those, it's a totally different story. I know tutors who have "qualifications" galore, but can't teach for crap because their communications skills suck muchly. I don't care how well they did in their examinations, I want to know how well they can help
me. How often can I get in contact with them? Will they be happy to take on my multitude of stupid questions? What kind of exercises do they give to help things like cutting down on waffling/resorting to Thesaurus-ism in essays, and do they spoon-feed or hold more discussion-type sessions to constantly test the strength and depth of the student's knowledge? Learning something and teaching it are two completely different skills - remember this!!!!!!
Of course, some people will be better than others in terms of 'tutoring'. Most tutors I know offer an initial tutoring session at significantly reduced rates, with a no-commitment policy. 'try before you buy', so to speak. In the OP's case, it looks like she's offering her advice for free. Why not try it? If you don't think she's worth it, then all you have to do is never email her again
