Analysis

• "Living Space" - Dharker could have used this title because it is ironic as there is little ‘living space’ in the slums.

  However, she could have used this title to suggest how other people just view it as just a ‘living space’ and not a home.
• "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.
• "Is the problem" - Dharker is identifying the divide between the rich/poor people of India. She is clearly saying there is a ‘problem’ between the different social classes.
• "flat or parallel" - Dharker could use the adjectives ‘flat' and 'parallel’ to signify that the social classes are not equal and there is a clear divide.
• "Balance crookedly" - 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" - ‘Nails clutch’ could be a metaphor for how the people in the slums ‘clutch’ for opportunities to raise their social status.
• "Leans dangerously" - The adverb ‘dangerously’ could imply that the

  people in the slums have to live in hazardous conditions
• "Towards the miraculous" - 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.
• "Someone has squeezed a living space" - The verb ‘squeezed’ could suggest that the people in the slums make the most out of everything they have.
• "And even dared" - The verb ‘dared’ could imply that the people are

  willing/have to take risks to make their lives better.
• "These eggs" - ‘Eggs’ could convey the vulnerability and fragility of their society/living areas. It could also suggest new life and optimism.
• "Wire basket" - ‘Wire basket’ could imply the metaphorical prison the people are in.
• "dark edge" - This could imply death and that the slums area dangerous place to live.
• "slanted universe" - ‘Slanted universe’ could be a metaphor for their society because it is not equal and the inequality of the rich/poor

  engulfs everything.
• "Light" - could represent hope
• "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.
• "Thin walls of faith" - 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.