Themes

Jealousy and Rivalry: “The Rival” is about rivalry. It shows how rivalry can bring resentment, jealousy, and pain. The poem makes the readers feel that they are reading about their own rivals. The speaker talks to someone who seems to always compete with her and take away attention or glory. She compares the rival to the moon, which is beautiful but destructive. The moon has no light. It borrows from the sun. Just like this, the rival also takes attention and glory from others. The rival’s presence makes her life feel empty and full of pain. Even his words are like carbon monoxide gas that is suffocating and deadly. The speaker can never come out of the influence of the rival. This poem is not only about open conflict, but also about the silent, destructive influence of someone who always stands in the way.

Form, Meter, Rhyme Scheme: “The Rival” has 4 stanzas and 17 lines. The first three are 5-line stanzas. It is written in free verse, so there’s no strict rhyme scheme. The poem feels more like a conversation. It lets the speaker’s emotions come through naturally, making it feel real and raw. The lack of structure matches the messy and unstable feelings of the speaker.