Living Space Flashcards
Poet
Imtiaz Dharker
Structure
Living Space is written in one long thin stanza with 22 short lines. Each line varies in length. The longest, ‘The whole structure leans dangerously’, appears considerably longer on the page than the others, perhaps echoing the fact the whole structure is leaning over. The effect of this is to create a poem that appears as precarious as the physical structures it describes. The lines of different lengths seem to jut out into the page like some of the crooked beams the poet presents. The first half of the poem describes the structure. From line 11 onwards we are presented with an image of something inside: people living in the space, and the eggs hanging in a basket. This makes the second half of the poem more hopeful, as if showing the power of faith.
These eggs in a wire basket
The eggs are metaphor for life and hope. They could fall off the building at any time and smash. Just like the people who live in the densely populated, high-rise buildings. To place the eggs here, one must have faith and trust – they are a symbol of people’s daring and boldness. Egg = new beginning
The whole structure leans dangerously/ towards the miraculous
The juxtaposition of the adverb ‘dangerously and ’miraculous’ is a contrasting description of the buildings – they look like they are going to collapse at any time, yet it is a miracle they are still standing. This represents feelings of fear and awe. Personification is used to describe the angle of the building leaning – as if in prayer or giving thanks to God.
There are just not enough/straight lines
The enjambment here emphasises the fact that whilst there is not enough stability in the structures built, there is not enough of anything for the amount of people who live there. It emphasises the lack of basic things needed for life.
Nothing is flat/ or parallel
The pronoun ‘nothing’ emphasises the fact that everything is lumpy and bumpy: there is a lack of smoothness and straight lines. A little bit like life. ‘Nothing’ could also mean to have no significance or worth in the world. Or, nothing is flat or paralle = social divide
Beams balance crookedly on supports
Juxtaposition - unstable Alliteration creates the sense and sound of the delicate balance of the building – that at any time it could collapse. Nothing is secure or fixed or definite. Nothing is built to last. Beams = personified
Thrust off the vertical
The verb ‘thrust’ suggests action – being pushed aside violently, again due the fact that they are insignificant. Perhaps suggesting that the people who inhabit the buildings are also insignificant and worthless.
Context
Imtiaz Dharker is a contemporary poet who was born in Pakistan and grew up in Scotland. She has written five collections of poetry and often deals with themes of identity, the role of women in contemporary society and the search for meaning. She draws on her multi-cultural experience in her work.
Context cont.
She is also a film director and has scripted a number of documentaries in India, supporting work with women and children. Dharker’s intimate knowledge of Mumbai is evident in this poem. She works to raise awareness of issues in other countries.
