Question

What is the narrator really asking in the poem's opening line, "who bites whom for a living"?

a. The meaning of the poem's title
b. The identity of the poem's narrator
c. The livelihood of the poem's characters
d. The nature of predation in the poem

Answer 1

The question "who bites whom for a living" typically invites the reader to think about the nature of predation in the poem.

Step-by-step explanation:

The opening line "who bites whom for a living" in poetry often asks the reader to consider the broader themes underlying the narrative. In this case, the question is most closely related to d. The nature of predation in the poem. The narrator is not seeking to know about the author or the characters on a personal level, nor is this question directly probing the economic conditions of the characters mentioned. Instead, it invokes a critical reflection on the act of predation - both literal and metaphorical - within the narrative's context. This considering of 'who bites whom' compels the reader to assess the dynamics of power, survival, and potentially, exploitation presented in the poem. It spotlights the relationships between predator and prey—whether these roles are filled by animals, humans, or metaphorical entities within the text.

Learn more about Nature of Predation