Composition

For you to better understand the meaning of “The Ant-Eater” by Roald Dahl, we will address both the outer composition (stanzas, verses and graphical expression) and the inner composition (beginning, subdivision and course) of the poem. Also, here you can read useful information about the rhythm and rhyme of the poem.

Outer composition

The poem is comprised of a single long stanza presenting an event in the life of an American boy named Roy.

The poem rhymes in couplets. This is but one example – “U.S.A.” rhymes with “Bay”, while “Roy” rhymes with “boy”.

Some wealthy folks from U.S.A.,
Who lived near San Francisco Bay,
Possessed an only child called Roy,
A plump and unattractive boy – 

The rhythm of the poem is fixed. Each line has 8 syllables and an iambic rhythm; this means that there is an alternation between unstressed and stressed syllables. The follo...