In "A Soldier of the Great War," Mark Helprin suggests that the chaos and destruction across Europe were not solely the result of grand historical movements or chance events, such as the assassination in Sarajevo or the scramble for colonies. Instead, the narrative attributes the catastrophic outcome to the missteps of an individual, Orfeo, who inadvertently found himself in a position of power. This personal blunder set off a chain reaction that led to immense suffering and loss.

This perspective highlights how individual actions and seemingly trivial incidents can have monumental consequences on a larger scale. The imagery of Orfeo as a corked bottle floating along the tumultuous tide emphasizes the randomness and unpredictability of history, suggesting that it is often the unforeseen mistakes and fate of ordinary people that steer the course of nations into turmoil.