Living Space

Question 1

What does the title do “living space”

Answer 1

The title is ironic because there isnt much space to live in slums in india.

Question 2

Who wrote the poem

Answer 2

Imtiaz dharker

Question 3

What year was it made

Answer 3

2000

Question 4

Where did dharker live

Answer 4

Born in pakistan but lived in scotland

Question 5

What other things did dharker do

Answer 5

Documentary and film maker

Question 6

What does her work do

Answer 6

Raises awareness of social issues

Question 7

What is the poem based upon

Answer 7

Based on slims in mumbi

Question 8

“Beams......” 
stanza 1 (line 5/6)

Answer 8

“Beams balance crookedly”

Question 9

“Nails clutch......” i
stanza 1(line 8)

Answer 9

“Nails clutch at open seams”

Question 10

“.......squeazed......” 
stanza 2 (line 12)

Answer 10

“Someone as squeazed a living space”

Question 11

“Bright.....” 
stanza 3 (last line)

Answer 11

“Bright thin walls of faith”

Question 12

Analyse - “not enough straight lines”

Stanza one first line

Answer 12

The building are insecure which is a metaphor for how th elives are insecure in the slums

Question 13

Analyse - “nothing is flat”

Stanza 1 (line 4)

Answer 13

Metaphor

Shows it is not equal between th eand poor

Question 14

Analyse - “balanced crookedly on supports”

Stamza 1 (line 6)

Answer 14

Adverb
Suggests houses could callapse at any minute, lives are at risk
Further shown through the use of “thrust” which has negative imagery

Question 15

Analyse - the whole structure leans dangerously”

Stanza 1 (line 9)

Answer 15

Structure

This line is quite long compared to the rest, representing/echoing the aspect of the building leaning

Question 16

What is the first line of the poem

Answer 16

“There are just not enough straight lines”

Question 17

What si the last line of the poem

Answer 17

“The bright, this walls of faith”

Question 18

Analyse - “towards thr miraculas”
Stanza 1 (line 10)

Answer 18

Poet feels the servival of people is a merical. Showing signs of hope.

Question 19

Analyse - the middle stanza

Stanza two

Answer 19

Verb “squeezed” suggests it is over crowded in slums.

Structure - this stanza is squeezed between two larger ones just like the people in slums would be.

Question 20

Analyse - “eggs in a wired basket”
Stanza 3 (line 15)

Answer 20

Eggs present new life but also vulnrability as they can easily brake. Just like people in slums are vulnerable becuse of the way they live.

Question 21

Analyse - “white” and “dark”
Stanza 3 (line 16/17)

Answer 21

Contrast of “dark” and “white” shows beauty can exist within ugly places

Question 22

Analyse - “slanted universe”
Stanza 3 (line 18)

Answer 22

Metaphor for societ because it is not equal between rich and poor

Question 23

Analyse - “bright, thin walls of fath”

Last line

Answer 23

Adjective “bright suggests happiness while “thin” suggests fragile.
Even though they are in vulnerabl edangerous place there is still little hope within them, the poet admires the way their optimism which protects them.

Question 24

Overview of the poem

Answer 24

Living Space” was written by Pakistan-born British poet Imtiaz Dharker. As the title might suggest, the poem describes someone’s living space—that is, their home. the poem describes a typical dwelling in the slums of the Indian city of Mumbai. On the one hand, the poem highlights the precariousness/state of such homes (and how dangerous they are). More significantly, however, it praises them as an expression of the miraculousness of life, seeing this living space as evidence of human resourcefulness and determination (when the would is not equal).

fragility of human life and celebrates the way that faith brings boldness.(which why they canleave eggs out p.

Question 25

How many stanzas does it contain

Answer 25

3 stanzas (10,3,9)