1. Simile: Owen uses similes to compare the disabled soldiers to other objects or entities, drawing parallels between their experiences and the broader world. For example, he compares the soldiers to "old beggars under sacks" and "hags crouched in the snow." These similes emphasize the soldiers' destitution and marginalization.
2. Metaphor: Owen also employs metaphors to create vivid imagery and convey abstract ideas. For example, he refers to the soldiers as "dregs of war" and "writhing in their pain," using these metaphors to express the intensity of their suffering and the dehumanizing effects of war.
3. Alliteration: Owen uses alliteration, the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words, to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, the line "He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting / For dark to unlock his chains" features alliteration with the "w" sound, which contributes to the somber and oppressive atmosphere of the poem.
4. Sensory Imagery: Owen engages the reader's senses through vivid imagery that appeals to multiple senses. He uses words that evoke visual, auditory, and tactile sensations, such as "moaning", "guttering", and "grinning." This sensory language places the reader directly in the scene and intensifies the emotional impact of the poem.
5. Rhyme: Owen employs a consistent rhyme scheme throughout the poem, using alternating terza rima stanzas (ABA BCB CDC). The use of rhyme adds a musical quality to the poem and helps to unify the disparate images and ideas presented within it.
Overall, the language used in "Disabled" is characterized by its evocative imagery, skillful use of figurative language, and thoughtful construction to deliver a powerful indictment of war and its devastating impact on individuals.