Here's how rhyme contributes to the poem's effectiveness:
* Emphasis on Irony: Owen uses half-rhyme (imperfect rhyme) throughout the poem. For instance, "youth" and "truth" or "dreaming" and "screaming." This deliberate imperfection reflects the fractured and disillusioned state of the speaker. The half-rhyme emphasizes the dissonance between the idealistic expectations of war and the speaker's harsh reality.
* Underlining the Loss of Innocence: The use of internal rhyme (within lines) reinforces the theme of lost innocence. For example, the lines, "He'd always been afraid of guns and war / But his idea of hell was an enemy's land," highlight the speaker's former naivete contrasted with the brutal realities of war.
* Creating a Melancholy Tone: The regular rhyme scheme (ABAB) contributes to the poem's somber tone. This consistency adds a layer of predictability that further emphasizes the speaker's sense of stasis and entrapment. The predictable rhythm contrasts sharply with the speaker's internal turmoil.
* Heightening Emotional Impact: The AABB rhyme scheme in the last stanza, contrasting with the previous ABAB pattern, creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The final two lines, "His soul had died before his legs were gone / And the young man's dreams of conquest fell like snow," use perfect rhyme to deliver a powerful and heartbreaking message.
Overall, the rhyme in "Disabled" isn't used for decorative purposes. It's a strategic tool that Owen employs to deepen the emotional impact of the poem. The deliberate use of rhyme, particularly the half-rhyme and the shift in rhyme schemes, serves to highlight the speaker's tragic experience and the poem's poignant message.