living space

• context: Dharker has an interest in representing a difficult culture
• structure: poem begins with sarcasm towards the negative views of the slums, poem ends with Dharker's admiration towards the people who live in slums and their positive attitudes towards their negative circumstances
• "there are just not enough straight lines" - could be criticising the rich or the western views of the slums and by writing 'not enough' suggests that they don't appreciate the beauty of the slums
• "the bright, thin walls of faith" - metaphor 'walls' could imply their optimism protects them from the harsh reality of their lives