Slob creates a grotesque motif that uses language and characters to develop empathy in readers. A form of social commentary closely associated with the Carnivalesque, the use of the Grotesque is a literary device that highlights strange, mysterious, hideous, and/or unpleasant distortions of the body to create disgust in situations that encourage self-aware empathy development as readers become hyperaware of the discomfort. The Grotesque became associated with deformity and disability during the 20th century due to the scope of injury and physical trauma experienced by veterans of World War I.

Ellen Potter uses the motif of the grotesque to illustrate the negative results of judging individuals by their physical appearances. Owen’s repeated references to physical symptoms and body parts include vivid language and descriptions that encourage hyperfocus and discomfort in readers to develop empathy for him. Thus, Owen can be considered a grotesque character. Mason can be identified as another grotesque character when Owen experiences discomfort as he views Mason’s scars. Owen demonstrates the same discomfort readers might feel when confronted with Owen’s grotesque descriptions of his own body. Owen’s acceptance of Mason’s facial scars becomes an illustration and model for a process of empathy development facilitated by the grotesque.