Living Space Flashcards
Who is Living Space by?
Imtiaz Dharker
When was Living Space written?
1956
What are some context points about Imtiaz Dharker?
- Contemporary multi-cultural poet. Born in Pakistan, raised in Scotland, lives in the UK and Mumbai
- Uses her writing to raise awareness about how other cultures live
- Living Space is based off the Mumbai Slums
- Millions of people live in the slums, hoping for a better life, actual population unknown
- Poverty and limited access to electricity, clean water, food and education
What is the significance of the title of Living Space?
The space is living: the energy and disorder creates a space that feels alive
“There are just…
…not enough straight lines”
“Beams…
…balance crookedly on supports”
“Nails…
…clutch at open seams”
“The whole…
…structure leans dangerously towards the miraculous”
What semantic field is there in Living Space?
Semantic field of precarity: “Not enough straight line” “Nothing is flat or parallel” “crookedly” “supports” “clutch” “leans” “dangerously” - emphasises the fragility of the slums
Why is the second stanza in Living Space so small?
It mirrors the way someone “squeezed” their home into the slums, emphasising the tightness of the living space
“rough…
…frame”
“someone has…
…squeezed a living space”
“dared to…
…place these eggs in a wire basket”
“fragile…
…curves of white”
“over the…
…dark edge of a slanted universe”
“gathering…
…light”
“bright…
…thin walls of faith”
What is significant about rhyme in Living Space?
There are barely any rhymes. One of the only ones is “white” and “light” this makes the words stand out as they are one of the only rhymes. They both have connotations to hope
What is Living Space about?
Dharker writes Living Space to highlight the hope for a better future that lies within the poverty of the Mumbai Slums
