What are the literary devices used here?

"I am frightened: I dare think this way no more. This way lies the abyss. It is not now the time but I will not lose these thoughts, I will keep them, shut them away until the war is ended. My heart beats fast: this is the aim, the great, the sole aim, that I have thought of in the trenches; that I have looked for as the only possibility of existence after this annihilation of all human feeling; this is a task that will make life afterward worthy of these hideous years."

What literary terms (aka rhetorical devices) have you been studying?

Read through many here until you find what you're looking for:
http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm

In the provided text, there are a few literary devices being used. Let's break them down:

1. Symbolism: The phrase "this way lies the abyss" is symbolic of a dangerous or disastrous path. It represents the potential negative consequences of thinking in a certain way.

2. Repetition: The phrase "this is the aim" is repeated multiple times to emphasize the speaker's singular focus and purpose. The repetition reinforces the importance and urgency of the subject.

3. Imagery: The mention of "the trenches" and "annihilation of all human feeling" creates vivid imagery, helping the reader visualize the harsh reality and the emotional toll of war.

4. Parallelism: The repetition of phrases like "I am frightened" and "my heart beats fast" creates parallel structure, conveying the speaker's emotions and state of mind. It adds rhythm and intensifies the tone.

It's worth noting that different readers may interpret literary devices differently, so it's always valid to have multiple perspectives.