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- The poem describes a ramshackle living space, with its lack of 'straight lines' and beams 'balanced crookedly on supports'.
- Imtiaz Dharker has explained that the poem describes the slums of Mumbai, where people migrate from all over India in the hope of a better life.
- The slum areas are living spaces created out of all kinds of found materials: corrugated sheets, wooden beams and tarpaulin.
- In this poem she celebrates the existence of these living spaces as a miracle.
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- The title is ironic as there isn’t much “living space” in the slums of Mumbai.
- The enjambment of the poem reflects how the structures lean over and are on top of each other and the central stanza is “squeezed” in to reflect how living spaces are “squeezed” into small gaps.
- Language such as “crookedly”, “clutch” and “leans dangerously” suggests it is unsafe.
- The image of the “eggs” shows ordinary objects make the slums feel like home and also reflect the fragility of life.
- Final words – “thin walls of faith” suggests the existence of these living spaces is a miracle and implies they still have “faith” even in difficult conditions.
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- The poem Living Space begins with Dharker being sarcastic towards the negative views of the slums.
- The middle stanza represents the small ‘Living Space’ the people have to use as the stanza is ‘squeezed’ into the middle of the poem.
- The poem ends with Dharker’s admiration of the people who live in the slums and their positive attitudes towards their negative circumstances.
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- Born in Pakistan but raised in Scotland, Imtiaz Dharker has an interest in representing a different culture.
- She has written five collections of poetry and often deals with themes of identity, the role of women in contemporary society and the search for meaning.
- She draws on her multi-cultural experience in her work.
- She is also a film director and has scripted a number of documentaries in India, supporting work with women and children.
- Dharker's intimate knowledge of Mumbai is evident in this poem.
- She works to raise awareness of issues in other countries.
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