14.1.1
Summary, Structure & Form
Summary of Singh Song!
Summary of Singh Song!
Daljit Nagra’s poem is one that depicts new love, in which everything about the person you love is new and exciting.
Background
Background
- Nagra’s parents moved from India to the UK in the 1950s.
- His family owned a corner shop - which is the setting for this poem.
- He also chose to write this love poem in Indian dialect. He uses it in the elevated form of love poetry.
Summary
Summary
- The poem is written in an Anglo-Indian idiolect, and follows the story of a young British Indian man recently married.
- His new bride is also Indian, but wears Western clothing.
- The poem follows both the culture clash of the two families and the sweet tenderness of a newlywed couple.
New love
New love
- Nagra’s poem depicts new love, in which everything about the person you love is exciting.
- The narrator takes every moment he can to spend with his wife – even neglecting his duties in the corner shop in favour of time with her.
- The translation of this traditional image of a youthful and effusive (showing emotion or thankfulness) lover into his own dialect gives this poem emotive strength.
Structure and Form in Singh Song!
Structure and Form in Singh Song!
Here are some key features of structure and form in Singh Song! by Daljit Nagra:
Dramatic monologue
Dramatic monologue
- The poem is a dramatic monologue, where the characterisation of the speaker is emphasised by the use of dialect. This gives the narrator a distinctive voice.
- The poem also uses nonstandard punctuation, to accompany the non-standard English. This also creates a vivid sense of the narrator's voice.
Songlike structure
Songlike structure
- The poem is also structured like a song with a chorus of ‘Hey Singh, ver yoo bin’.
- This adds to the musical rhythm of the monologue and indicates the narrator's excitement and joy.
1When We Two Parted - Lord Byron (1788-1824)
2Love’s Philosophy - Percy Bysshe Shelley
3Porphyria’s Lover - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
4Sonnet 29 - Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
4.1Sonnet 29 – ‘I think of thee!’ Analysis
5Neutral Tones - Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
6Letters from Yorkshire - Maura Dooley (Born 1957)
6.1Letters from Yorkshire Analysis
7The Farmer’s Bride - Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)
8Walking Away - Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972)
8.1Walking Away Analysis
9Eden Rock - Charles Causley (1917-2003)
10Follower - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
10.1Follower Analysis
11‘Mother, Any Distance’ - Simon Armitage (Born1963
11.1'Mother, Any Distance' Analysis
12Before You Were Mine - Carol Ann Duffy (Born 1955)
12.1Before You Were Mine Analysis
13Winter Swans - Owen Sheers (Born 1974)
14Singh Song! - Daljit Nagra (Born 1966)
14.1Singh Song! Analysis
15Climbing My Grandfather - Andrew Waterhouse
15.1Climbing My Grandfather Analysis
16Grade 9 - Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Comparisons
Jump to other topics
1When We Two Parted - Lord Byron (1788-1824)
2Love’s Philosophy - Percy Bysshe Shelley
3Porphyria’s Lover - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
4Sonnet 29 - Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
4.1Sonnet 29 – ‘I think of thee!’ Analysis
5Neutral Tones - Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
6Letters from Yorkshire - Maura Dooley (Born 1957)
6.1Letters from Yorkshire Analysis
7The Farmer’s Bride - Charlotte Mew (1869-1928)
8Walking Away - Cecil Day Lewis (1904-1972)
8.1Walking Away Analysis
9Eden Rock - Charles Causley (1917-2003)
10Follower - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
10.1Follower Analysis
11‘Mother, Any Distance’ - Simon Armitage (Born1963
11.1'Mother, Any Distance' Analysis
12Before You Were Mine - Carol Ann Duffy (Born 1955)
12.1Before You Were Mine Analysis
13Winter Swans - Owen Sheers (Born 1974)
14Singh Song! - Daljit Nagra (Born 1966)
14.1Singh Song! Analysis
15Climbing My Grandfather - Andrew Waterhouse
15.1Climbing My Grandfather Analysis
16Grade 9 - Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Comparisons
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