In the Next War, death is seen as a reoccurring motif and an extended metaphor of loss and waste of human life. The personification is used effectively to emphasise the horror of war. “He’s spat at us with bullets, He’s coughed”. This image of death allows the reader to experience its constant presence in young men’s lives. This also points out that young soldiers have become familiar with death and are not afraid anymore as they have become dehumanised. The repetition of “we laughed” explains the way young men tried to cope in the horrifying situations. It also shows the reader how these men tried to cope by putting death behind them. Owen wants to let the audience know that endurance on the battlefield and being able to laugh in the face
