'Bill & Doreen Get Hitched (Selections from "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke")' Summary

The poems in "Bill & Doreen Get Hitched" follow the couple through their engagement, wedding, and initial experiences of married life. The book chronicles their adjustments to living together, the challenges and rewards of starting a family, and the changing dynamics of their relationship. Dennis uses his characteristic humor to explore the everyday trials of marriage and parenthood, from Bill's struggles to understand domesticity to the heartwarming joy of welcoming a child into the world. The poems reveal both the romantic side of their bond and the practical realities of shared life. Throughout the collection, Dennis continues to portray Bill's transformation from a rough-around-the-edges young man into a more mature and responsible husband and father. The poems offer insights into the social context of early 20th-century Australia, particularly the lives and concerns of working-class families.