Living space, Imtiaz Dharker

Question 1

“Living space”

Answer 1

Suggests a lack of emotional connection or fondess. Explicitly not a home.
Ironic as there isn’t much living space in the slums of Mumbai.

Question 2

“Beams balance”

Answer 2

Alliteration ties the phrase together whereas enjambment tears it apart. There is tension in the connectedness of the phrase, much like slums generally.

Question 3

“The whole structure leans dangerously/ towards the miraculous.”

Answer 3

Line ‘leans’ over the rest of the stanza, much like the irregularity of the slums.
‘Miraculous’ - the structure still standing there is a miracle. Inhabitants are desperate for better future.

Question 4

“Squeezed a living space”

Answer 4

‘Squeezed’ suggests that the living space barely fits inside of the rough frame implying that it does not or should not belong there.

Question 5

“eggs”

Answer 5

The image of the “eggs” shows ordinary objects make the slums feel like home and also reflect the fragility of life.

Question 6

‘slanted universe’

Answer 6

inequality

Question 7

“thin walls of faith”

Answer 7

Suggests the existence of these living spaces is a miracle and implies they still have “faith” even in difficult conditions.
‘thin walls’ reinforces fragility.

Question 8

Structure

Answer 8

Tiny stanza has been squeezed between two larger stanzas, similar to living space in the slums.