Which literary device is used in the sentence below?But these things they call ears - what on earth are those?

The literary device used in the sentence "But these things they call ears - what on earth are those?" is rhetorical question.

A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question that is asked to make a point or create a dramatic effect rather than to get an answer. In this case, the speaker questions the very concept of "ears" to express confusion or disbelief, suggesting that the term does not adequately describe what they observe. This device engages the reader by prompting them to think critically about the nature of "ears" and possibly the broader context of understanding and perception. Rhetorical questions are often used in literature to provoke thought, emphasize a point, or convey a strong emotional state.