Irony is applied in the first two lines of the stanza as he was dismayed at the loss of his legs, but "he once liked a stain of blood down his leg." We are told that he took pride in finishing a football match with an injury, perhaps because it made him seem tough and manly. Furthermore, his pride had caused him to lose everything he was proud of. Because of his disability, he could no longer win a goal or be praised as a hero. He blames his mistake on alcohol and a compliment from someone who told him "he would look like a god in a kilt." This compliment also informs the reader that the soldier is part of the Scottish regiments. Another reason for his decision is shown through repetition as it was "to please his Meg" and "to please the giddy", suggesting that he wanted to make women proud. However, it is ironic that the soldier joined the women, as in the previous and following stanzas it is stated that the women ignore him due to his disability from the war. Owen is suggesting that the girls are only curious about the idea of ​​a soldier, but not the reality of a soldier. Also, we can see his youthful ignorance and how naive he was