Exposure ❄️

• Title- could emphasise Owen 'exposing' the harsh conditions the soldiers have to face which are never portrayed in propaganda.
• "But nothing happens" 


  Repetition - sense of boredom throughout the poem highlights the pointlessness of war.

  Could be a stab at the institutions in power who misuse the power they have by going to war and not looking after those who fight in them.
• "Slowly, our ghosts drag home"


  Metaphor- suggests that war has sucked all the life out of the soldiers and further reminds readers they are on the brink of death.
• "poignant misery of dawn begins to grow..."


  Suggest the thought of a new day brings misery and sadness as they have to wake up and do nothing but freeze

  "Dawn" usually has connotations of light and hope but it suggests suffering.
• "Is it that we are dying?" "We turn back to our dying"


  Rhetorical question- highlights the lack of fighting that's happening.

  Blunt- adds to the pointlessness of war and creates an emotional image for the reader

  Accepted the fact they're not being saved from front lines
• "Our brains ache in the merciless iced east winds that knive us"


  Personification and sibilance- sounds menacing and deadly, feels like it's stabbing them

  Emphasises human vs nature

  Highlights the pain and brutality of the cold weather
• Could be compared to: (reality of conflict)

  War photographer + Remains
• Could be compared to: (power of nature)

  Storm on the Island + The Prelude
• "All their eyes are ice"


  Metaphor- shows the extreme effects of the weather that affect the soldiers.

  Implies they have lost their humanity + close to breaking point
• "with crusted dark-red jewels"


  Metaphor- blood coloured diamonds could refer to the cost of war compared to the value of life, suggesting that those in power prefer money over helping those fighting.