Shows that the soldier's feelings of and belief is patriotism have changed into fear due to the harsh, horrendous realities of war.
"Listening ... for the reasons of his still running""
The soldier begins to further question the reason for him fighting
"Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame"
Hughes uses colour imagery, the colour yellow creates innocent connotation -joy, happiness and hope. However the violent connotations of "threw up" contrasts with the innocent connotations of the hare. In addition, the simile of the hare being of fire implies that all hope has been demolished.
"king, honour, human dignity"
Hughes uses asyndetic listing while describing the values of "king, honour, human dignity" to signify how the soldier's previously upheld values and motivation fueled by patriotism have been abandoned as showcased in the simile, "dropped like luxuries". The use of asyndetic listing also encourages a faster pace, possibly illustrating the soldier's desperation and urgency to rid himself of his patriotic qualities.
"His terror's touchy dynamite"
This brutal alternative metaphor implies that the soldier is about to lose control of his emotions. His fear seems to have become a weapon; he is driven by his 'terror', and this is what is driving him towards to enemy.
