singh song

• Context


  Poet's parents emigrated to Britain from India.Experiences of Indian immigrants in Britain influence the poet's poetry. Poem published in 2007. Poem creates a rich blend of cultural contrasts and generational differences.
• Form


  No regular rhyme scheme but uses some rhymes to create a light-hearted tone. Eye-dialect used. Like a song with verses and a chorus which makes it sound lively. There's little punctuation to make the poem flow in a way that sounds cheerful.
• Structure


  Poem alternates between descriptions of narrator's marriage and his customer's complaints. Repeated complaints emphasise how often he neglects his work. At the end, the pace slows down to reflect the intimate scene and the couple's similar language emphasise their closeness.
• Attitudes and Feelings(2)


  Love and Rebellion
• "a ....... ...."- What does this show?

  "a tartan sari"- Juxtaposition of two cultures, British and Indian. Oxymoron of words. She embodies both cultures.
• "my ....."- What does this show?


  "my bride"- Repetition suggests he's proud of her and he can't stop thinking about her. The fact he says 'bride' instead of 'wife' shows their marriage is still new and exciting. Could show fixation, ownership and possession. Referencing stereotypes, should be her not him, she often makes him neglect his culture.
• "her Sikh ..... ...."-What does this suggest?

  "her Sikh lover site"- Challenging modern marriages. Suggests that his wife runs dating agency, modern approach to relationships contrasts with idea of arranged marriages, a stereotypical part of Indian culture
• "tiny .... ov a .../ and di ...... ov a ......"- What does this show?


  "tiny eyes ov a gun/ and di tummy ov a teddy"- Rude and dangerous. Metaphors describe the wife as both dangerous and cute, she's a combination of lots of different things, referencing British and English.
• "like vee ....... through ......-"- What does this create a sense of?

  "like vee rowing through Putney-"- Unusual simile to describe love-making creates humour. Comparison between modern and traditional. Adds to the light-hearted feel.
• Poems to compare with and their themes

  Romantic Love- Sonnet 29, Winter Swans and Climbing my Grandfather
• Poet


  Daljit Nagra