Living Space, by Imtiaz Dharker Flashcards
Who is the speaker in the poem? What about?
Imtiaz Dharker
describing the slums of Mumbai
When? Where?
Slums of Mumbai
Modern day poem
Why?
In this poem she celebrates the existence of these living spaces as a miracle
Comment on the title
ironic as there isn’t much ‘living space’ in the slums of Mumbai
could have used this title to suggest how other people just view it as just a ‘living space’ and not a home.
Context
Born in Pakistan but raised on Scotland, Imtiaz Dharker has an interest in representing a different culture
Structure
begins with Dharker being sarcastic towards the negative views of the slums
middle stanza represents the small ‘Living Space’ the people have to use as the stanza is ‘squeezed’ into the middle of the poem
poem ends with Dharker’s admiration of the people who live in the slums and their positive attitudes towards their negative circumstances
Analysis on the opening line
‘There are just not enough’
Dharker could be criticising the rich or the western views of the slums and that by writing ‘not enough’ suggests that they don’t
appreciate the beauty of the slums.
Why does she use the word ‘problem’ in the first stanza?
identifying the divide between the rich/poor people in India
saying there is a ‘problem’ between the different social classes
Analysis on the words ‘flat’ and ‘parallel’
use the adjectives to signify that the social classes are not equal and there is a clear divide
What does the phrase ‘Balance crookedly’ symbolise?
the adverb ‘crookedly’ could symbolise that the class system is corrupt. It could also highlight the dangerous living conditions that the people have to endure
‘Nails clutch..
..at open seams’
Analysis on ‘nails clutch at open seams’
‘Nails clutch’ could be a metaphor for how the people in the slums ‘clutch’ for opportunities to raise their social status
What does ‘leans dangerously’ imply?
The adverb ‘dangerously’ could imply that the
people in the slums have to live in hazardous conditions
What does the word ‘miraculous’ imply?
The word ‘miraculous’ implies Dharker’s admiration for the people who live in the slums and create homes/lives there.
She is emphasising that their society is special and unique.
What does the verb in the middle stanza suggest?
The verb ‘squeezed’ could suggest that the
people in the slums make the most out of everything they have
What does the word ‘dared’ imply?
imply that the people are willing/have to take risks to make their lives better
What is meant by the line ‘These eggs in a wire basket’?
‘eggs’ could convey the vulnerability and fragility of their society/living areas - it could also suggest new life and optimism
‘Wire basket’ could imply the metaphorical prison the people are in
Analysis on ‘dark edge’
This could imply death and that the slums are a dangerous place to live
What could the metaphor ‘slanted universe’ be for?
‘Slanted universe’ could be a metaphor for their society because it is not equal and the inequality of the rich/poor engulfs everything.
What does the word ‘light’ in the last stanza represent?
‘light’ could represent hope
Analysis on the last line
‘The bright, thin walls of faith’
adjective ‘bright’ could suggest the hope and happiness the people create in the slums despite their circumstances
However the adjective ‘thin’ could represent the fragility and vulnerability of their society
The metaphor of the ‘walls’ could imply that their optimism protects them from the harsh reality of their lives.
Dharker ends the poem positively and with hope. Dharker could be implying that it does not matter if you are rich or poor as nobody can take away your beliefs/religion
