 How did the gloomy outcome of World War III in the article foreshadow the rest of the main character's story?
Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. Three days later they had landed in Spain, merged with another division, then crossed the Pyrenees into France, and finally to Paris where the fighting had begun. The Russians had not yet used the H-bomb; the threat of annihilation by the retaliation forces had been too great. Most of the cities and the majority of the population of both countries had been destroyed. Even their governments had vanished, leaving a silent nothingness. Their families had long since died, their bodies turned to dust, their spirits fled on the winds to a new world.
 The main character would continue to suffer loss.
 The main character would still find ways to motivate himself regardless of what he faced.  The main character would continue to realize how superficial the world is.  The main character would continue to suffer loss.  The main character would succumb to every failure.