Singh Song

• 'after vee have made luv/ like vee rowing through putney'

  • represents culture clash as putney refers to english boat race, also punjabi word for wife
• 'in di worst indian shop/ on di whole indian road'

  • hyperbole creates humour and highlights contrast between unreliable persona and careful father
• 'my vife on di web is playing wid di mouse ven she netting two cat on her sikh lover site'

  • contrasts stereotypical Indian arranged marriage
  • metaphors: web- internet/trap, mouse- computer mouse/lure, two cat- two successful clients to match
• 'she effing at my mum in all the colours of punjabi'

  • contrasts stereotypes
  • lively language suggests he finds it entertaining
• 'from di stool each night i say,/ is priceless baby'

  • dialogue continues beyond poem, finishes on intimate conversation, bride hears how important she is to him
  • suggests their love is more important than money
• 'tiny eyes ov a gun/ and di tummy of a teddy'

  • metaphors describe the wife as dangerous and cuddly, enigma to whom only persona has access to
• Who is the poet of the poem "Sing Song"?

  Daljit Nagra
• What historical context influenced the poem "Sing Song"?

  Post-World War II labor shortage in Britain
• What was the occupation of many first-generation Indians in the UK?

  Laborers working in factories
• What did many Indians aim to achieve in the 1980s?

  Buying their own shops
• When was Daljit Nagra's first poetry collection published?

  2007
• What theme does Nagra's poetry collection "Look We Have Coming to DOA" focus on?

  Anxieties of identity in a white nation
• What overarching theme does the poem "Sing Song" explore despite being part of the love and relationships cluster?

  Conflict in romantic relationships
• What does Nagra aim to contrast in "Sing Song"?

  Romantic love versus business and family obligations
• What is the structure of the poem "Sing Song"?

  A dramatic monologue
• Who is the speaker in the poem "Sing Song"?

  1. Singh
• What does the dramatic monologue form allow readers to do?

  Identify the speaker's character through speech
• What do the italicized lines in the poem represent?

  Complaints from the shoppers
• What conflict is suggested between the speaker and his father?

  Generational conflict regarding work and love
• How does the speaker refer to his father in the poem?

  As "Daddy"
• What does the term "Daddy" imply about the speaker's relationship with his father?

  It suggests affection or possible criticism
• What cultural clash is represented by the wife's attire in the poem?

  The Tartan sari symbolizes British and Indian culture
• What does the speaker's wife do that reflects Western culture?

  She sets up a dating website
• What does the speaker's neglect of the shop indicate?

  His prioritization of love over work
• How does the poem depict the speaker's feelings towards his wife?

  He is joyful and in love
• What imagery is used to describe the UK in the poem?

  Beaches and bright moon
• What does the phrase "half the cost of you" suggest about the speaker's love?

  His love is priceless compared to material things
• What does the speaker do during quiet times at the shop?

  He goes upstairs to be with his wife
• What does the poem suggest about the expectations of parents?

  They conflict with the speaker's romantic love
• How does the poem reflect the immigrant experience in Britain?

  It shows cultural clashes and identity struggles
• What is the significance of the shop's condition in the poem?

  It reflects the speaker's neglect due to love
• How does the poem's language contribute to its theme of love?

  It uses playful and affectionate language
• What does the speaker's wife do that causes her to mock his father?

  She stumbles and makes fun of him
• What does the poem suggest about the relationship between first and second generation Indians?

  It highlights cultural conflicts and differences
• How does the poem's setting contribute to its themes?

  The shop setting emphasizes love versus duty
• What does the speaker's joy in the poem reveal about his character?

  He values love over societal expectations
• What does the poem ultimately convey about love and relationships?

  Love can conflict with cultural and familial duties
• What is the main theme of Nagra's poetry?

  Conflict between Indian culture and British life
• What does the Tartan sari symbolize in Nagra's poem?

  Clash between British and Indian cultures
• How does Nagra depict his feelings towards England?

  He shows a certain love for England