Singh-Song

Context

author

• Dalijit’s parents came from India to UK

• Born in UK (2nd gen immigrant)

• family opened a corner shop

Themes

• happy

• love above money

• admiration

• unity

Imagery

Form & Structure

dramatic monologue

Mr. Singh is the character that the poem is about, even though it’s not the poet they do have aspects in common.

The poem is addressed to the shoppers and their complaints, but he doesn’t care about them cause he’s focused on his wife

This use of a dramatic monologue could be used to show the conflict between love and money/other commitments in a relationship

stanza structure focus

start

Each stanza is about work or marriage, and this alternates, this change in focus could mirror the change in focus for Mr. Singh in his life, he has to take care of his shop but he wants to spend more time with his wife. The separation through stanza’s could represent how he can’t focus on both at the same time

middle

these stanza’s all start with “my bride”, this repetition could reflect how Mr. Singh is becoming obsessed with his wife and forgetting to tend his work

end

these focus on the husband - wife relationship and so could present how love wins against everything else, love wins the conflict against work

rhyme

the rhyme in the poem gives it a song/musical quality which links to the title this could present the joy of their love and Mr. Singh’s positivity throughout this struggle