Living Space

Question 1

Living space overview

Answer 1

Dharker uses “living space” as a vehicle to commemorate the faith of those who live in unstable, dangerous places. She uses her knowledge of the lumps in India, having lived between Mumbai and Pakistan, to criticise the unfairness and honour the people who make the best of the below par living conditions.

Question 2

Living space para 1 quote 1

Answer 2

There are just not enough straight lines”

• “straight lines” is a reference to their not being enough fairness in living conditions
• “just” suggests she is appalled by this

Question 3

Living space para 1 quote 2

Answer 3

“That is the problem”

• reinforces that it is a problem, showing the extent of how she thinks that it is unfair.
• this comes right after she explains the problem showing how she wants to be sure

Question 4

Living space para 1 quote 3

Answer 4

“Nothing is flat or parallel”

• demonstrates uncertainties of the slums
• use of “flat or parallel” is a reference to lack of fairness and uncertainty.
• creates image that it could fall at any moment as it is unstable

Question 5

Living space para 2 quote 1

Answer 5

“Leans dangerously towards the miraculous”

• adverb “dangerous” reinforces the uncertainty of the living conditions.
• miraculous is symbolic of their minuscule hope
• the structure of the line shows how their hope is hanging by a thread because the word dangerously hangs over miraculous

Question 6

Living space para 2 quote 2

Answer 6

“Squeezed a living space”

• “squeezed” demonstrates the struggle for the people living in slums
• therefore highlighting the faith and commemorates them for making the most of it
• further shown through how this stanza is squeezed between the other two

Question 7

Living space para 3 quote 1

Answer 7

“Eggs in a wire basket”

• is symbolic of their faith as is hangs by a thread
• use of noun “eggs” demonstrates the fragility of their hope and emphasises their terrible living situation

Question 8

Living space para 3 quote 2

Answer 8

“Bright thin walls of faith”

• the use of “faith” demonstrates how she thinks it’s honourable with how they make the most of it
• but however the use of “thin” could demonstrate the lack of resources they have but alternatively could be representative of how their faith is fragile

Question 9

Living space structure

Answer 9

Uneven line lengths

Stanza squeezed between two others