Poem 14 - Daljit Nagra - Singh Song!

Question 1

When was the poet born?

Answer 1

1966

Question 2

Where was the poet born?

Answer 2

London.

Question 3

When was the poem published?

Answer 3

2007

Question 4

What nationality were the poet’s parents?

Answer 4

Indian

Question 5

What is the poem about?

Answer 5

The narrator is British-Indian and he talks about working in one of his father’s corner stores. He’s just got married and keeps sneaking out of the shop to spend time with his newly wedded wife. She’s also British-Indian but dresses in a mix of British and Indian clothes as well as acting in a modern western way. The narrator neglects his shop duties and his customers complain. when the store is shut, the narrator and his wife sit and talk, where he tells her how much she means to him.

Question 6

Describe the form of the poem.

Answer 6

There’s no rhyme scheme, though some rhymes are used to create a light-hearted tone. The poem features the voices of the narrator’s wife and customers, showing how he fits into the community. The poem is written like a song, with verses and a repeating chorus, which makes it seem lively and rhythmic. There’s little punctuation, so the poem moves in a way that sounds confident and cheerful.

Question 7

Describe the structure of the poem.

Answer 7

The poem alternates between describing the narrator’s marriage and his customers’ complaints, the repeated complaints emphasise how often he neglects his work. At the end of the poem, the pace slows down to reflect the scene’s intimacy, and the couple’s similar language emphasises their closeness.

Question 8

Describe the use of humorous descriptions in the poem.

Answer 8

The narrator uses entertaining images to describe his wife and family. He also mixes humour with romantic descriptions which adds to the poem’s light-heartedness.

Question 9

Describe how contrast is used in the poem.

Answer 9

The narrator brings together many seemingly contradictory things while describing the other characters, which shows how characters can embrace elements of multiple different countries to form their own identity.

Question 10

Describe the use of phonetic Indian-English in the poem.

Answer 10

The words of the poem are written the same way that they sound when spoken aloud- this helps to give a strong impression of the characters. The voices in the poem combine Indian and English words and accents, which shows the influence of both cultures on the characters.

Question 11

What is the effect of “daddy’s” (Line 1)?

Answer 11

The childish language suggests that his father still has a lot of control over the narrator’s life, as is common in Indian culture.

Question 12

What is suggested by “from 9 o’clock to 9 o’clock” (Line 2)?

Answer 12

That the narrator’s working hours are long and mundane.

Question 13

What is the significance of “and he vunt me not to hav a break// but ven nobody in, I do di lock-“ (Lines 3 and 4)?

Answer 13

It shows that the narrator rebels against his father’s rules and takes control over his life, something uncommon in Indian culture.

Question 14

What is the effect of “newly bride” (Line 5)?

Answer 14

The non-standard use of the word “newly” shows that the narrator is still getting used to the English language.

Question 15

What is the impact of the repetition of “vee share in” (Lines 6 and 7)?

Answer 15

The repetition shows how the couple is equal and close.

Question 16

What is the significance of “like vee rowing through Putney-“ (Line 9)?

Answer 16

The simile is an unusual way to describe love-making, which creates a humorous atmosphere.

Question 17

What is the effect of “pinnie untied” (Line 10)?

Answer 17

It shows that the narrator disregards the rules of the shop whilst distracted by love, creating a comical image of rebellion.

Question 18

What is the effect of “𝐻𝑒𝑦 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑔ℎ, 𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑖𝑛?” (Line 12)?

Answer 18

It sounds like a chorus of voices, which is emphasised by the phonetic spelling.

Question 19

What is the significance of “𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑝// 𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑖 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑” (Lines 16 and 17, 41 and 42)?

Answer 19

The exaggeration creates humour but also highlights the contrast between the unreliable Singh and his organised father.

Question 20

What is the effect of “high heels tap di ground” (Line 18)?

Answer 20

His new bride is glamorous, linked with a new generation that embraces western culture. The succession of monosyllabic words imitates her heel tapping on the floor.

Question 21

What is the significance of “her Sikh lover site” (Line 20)?

Answer 21

It suggests that his wife runs a dating site, the modern approach to relationships contrasts with the ideas of arranged marriage, a stereotypical part of Indian culture.

Question 22

What is suggested by “my bride” (Lines 22, 27 and 30)?

Answer 22

The repetition suggests that he’s proud of his wife and can’t stop thinking about her. The fact he says “bride” instead of ‘wife’ hints that the marriage is still new and exciting.

Question 23

What is the significance of “effing at my mum// in all di colours of Punjabi” (Lines 23 and 24)?

Answer 23

The lively language suggests that he finds his wife’s swearing funny.

Question 24

What is the effect of “den stumble like a drunk// making fun at my daddy” (Lines 25 and 26)?

Answer 24

It shows that they both share a similar sense of humour and he doesn’t mind her making fun of his parents.

Question 25

What is the significance of “tiny eyes ov a gun// and di tummy ov a teddy.” (Lines 29 and 29)?

Answer 25

The metaphor describes the wife as both cute and dangerous, which reflects how she is a combination of different cultures.

Question 26

What is the significance of “a Tartan sari// a donkey jacket and some pumps” (Lines 32 and 33)?

Answer 26

Even her clothes mix British and Indian styles, it shows she embodies both.

Question 27

What is suggested by “tickle” (Line 35)?

Answer 27

It shows how their relationship is affectionate and carefree.

Question 28

What is the effect of “di tings yoo hav on offer woo hav never got in stock” (Line 40)?

Answer 28

It shows how he’s a terrible shopkeeper but the phonetic spelling makes the customers’ complaints sound quite playful.

Question 29

What is the effect of “di midnight hour” (Line 43), “wrap up quiet” (Line 44) and “concrete cool” (Line 45) on the reader?

Answer 29

The sudden calmness contrasts with the voices of the chorus to show that the narrator and his wife are alone. It’s ironic that he wants his customers to be asleep since they’re his source of income, it highlights how he prioritises his wife over anything and everything else.

Question 30

What is the significance of “yoo shoppers” (Line 44)?

Answer 30

The direct address seems to implicate the reader a part of the problem, which emphasises how he doesn’t care about much else other than his wife.

Question 31

What is the effect of “silver stool” (Line 47)?

Answer 31

The money imagery contrasts and highlights the romantic description of the moonlit beaches.

Question 32

What is suggested by “brighty mood” (Line 50)?

Answer 32

The narrator makes up English-sounding words, which shows how he merges the two cultures through language.

Question 33

What is the significance of “she say” (Lines 51 and 55) and “I say” (Lines 53 and 57)?

Answer 33

The repetition makes the couple’s conversation sound rhythmic and song-like. It further emphasises their closeness.

Question 34

What is suggested by “priceless” (Line 58)?

Answer 34

Their love can’t have a price attached and is more important to the narrator than any sum of money could be.

Question 35

What is the significance of “baby-“ (Line 58)?

Answer 35

The poem is left hanging, possibly looking towards the future.