The quote reflects the disillusionment experienced by a soldier who expected to witness the intensity of war manifest into concrete experiences but instead found everything around him to be abstract and chaotic. This reversal of expectations highlights the profound impact of war on perception, suggesting that the envisioned clarity and meaning of combat have been overshadowed by confusion and uncertainty.

In "Tree of Smoke," Denis Johnson explores the complexities of war, showing how the idealization of combat starkly contrasts with the reality faced by soldiers. The protagonist's journey reveals the emotional toll that such experiences can take, leading to a sense of alienation and a struggle to reconcile the imagined purpose of war with the intangible horrors witnessed on the battlefield.