living space Flashcards
what are the themes of living space?
power, place and man
“That /is the problem.”
Enjambment – expressing that the physical appearance of the area is the main problem when the problem is societal as well as space.
“Beams/balance crookedly”
Adverb – suggesting that everything is wrong and the physical space is also expressing this too.
“someone has squeezed/ a living space”
Sibilance – implies that it is alien and out of place and that it is not a natural or normal way to have to live.
“slanted universe,”
Metaphor – again a reference to the way that people have to live in terrible conditions but a metaphor for the difference between their way of living and the more wealthy.
“bright, thin walls of faith.”
Metaphor – the idea that religion can give hope for a better life linked to the way the people have to live in shacks which are not fit to be living spaces but poverty gives them no choice, while religion can give them hope.
what is she walks in beauty about?
The persona describes a woman he’s seen, taking her individual body parts in turn. He thinks she’s incredibly beautiful and uses images of dark and light to emphasise how perfect she is. He suggests that her appearance reflects her inner life and personality which shines through. To
begin with, he describes her like a ‘cloudless’ and ‘starry’ night creating a sense of mystery and exoticism. To him, her dark hair is perfect and any different it would be ‘impaired.’ He imagines her
thoughts to be pure and describes her expression as ‘soft’ and ‘eloquent.’ It’s all his subjective impression though.
what is living space about?
The poem opens by describing an building or some sort of construction that is badly built, crooked and barely held together. It is then revealed that this is someone’s home – although we are never told whose home it is. The persona notices that in this precarious building is a basket of fragile, white eggs, bright with light and representing hope and faith despite the exposure and vulnerability of their lives.
