Dorrigo often thinks that there is no purpose to the world or to his life: “The world. It just is” (186). He says the same thing about the existence and purpose of horror. When something horrible happens, he believes that it was always going to happen, no matter what. This casts a cynical light on Darky’s optimism, Ella’s efforts to maintain his attention, and his own halfhearted attempts to remain faithful to her. When there is no purpose, and life seems to be nothing but chaos, efforts to change reality seem naïve to Dorrigo. The irony is that he continues to seek distraction in poetry and women. He does not give up or commit suicide, despite his loneliness and despair. Like Sisyphus, he continues to make what he believes to be a doomed effort. After leaving Jack Rainbow’s widow, Dorrigo discusses love with a trucker, who reaffirms that life is predestined: “Maybe we just get given our faces, our lives, our fate, our happiness and unhappiness” (331). This sentiment solidifies Dorrigo’s belief that life “just is” and alleviates his responsibility for his lack of love.

The concept of predestination also affects the other characters, particularly as they justify their wartime actions.