Strangers in Time

The motif of rationing appears throughout the book to illustrate the supposedly shared conditions of scarcity during wartime and expose how the poorest members of society are more intensely affected by shortages. This motif contributes to the theme of Class Influence on Wartime Experiences, as those from the lower classes must deal with an additional level of precarity during the war years. Charlie and Gran use all their wages and pocket money for rent and bills, so they rely on rationed goods for their daily meals. The text shows that any meals that contain unrationed goods are treated like a special occasion, like when Gran saves up so she and Charlie can finally have a “nice meal […] with a pudding and custard after” (79). Gran frequently references the years before rationing when they could afford to shop at food stalls and cafes, which illustrates how their already frugal lives are reduced even further by wartime rationing.

The wealthy must also abide by rationing rules, but they have enough money to afford purchases of other unrestricted goods. Gran goes on several tirades about the rich hotel patrons who dine on elaborate meals while the rest of the city starves.