Strangers in Time Chapter 17: Boy Meets Girl
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
In this first meeting, Molly Wakefield spots Charlie Matters hiding behind a maple tree. She asks if he is hiding from a police car. Charlie retorts that he is just resting and resents her probing. Molly softens when she sees his shabby clothes and offers him food, but he refuses, saying he does not accept charity. Learning that her family owns the entire house, Charlie concludes she is rich. Molly notices a long infected cut on his hand and warns him about blood poisoning, showing medical knowledge. Charlie asks how she knows such things. Molly then reveals she is trying to find the Ministry of Food where her father works. She shows him a half-crown coin and offers it as payment if he takes her there. Charlie is skeptical about the existence of a “Ministry of Food” but agrees when he sees the address on her father’s letter. He suggests a bus journey, and Molly produces the necessary shillings. The chapter ends with the two setting off together.
Key Events
- Molly spots Charlie hiding behind a tree and confronts him.
- Charlie refuses Molly’s offer of charity food.
- Molly diagnoses Charlie’s infected hand and explains the risk of septicaemia.
- Molly reveals her intention to reach the Ministry of Food where her father works.
- Charlie initially doubts the ministry’s existence but agrees to guide her.
- Charlie suggests taking a bus; Molly pays for both tickets with coins from her pockets.
- The unlikely pair begin their journey through blackout London.
Character Development
- Molly Wakefield: Demonstrates independence and resolve by venturing out alone at night. Her medical knowledge hints at a background beyond her sheltered upbringing. She is willing to trust a stranger but also warns him she can defend herself, showing both naivety and caution.
- Charlie Matters: Streetwise and proud, he refuses charity but is intrigued by money and a car. His curiosity shifts from suspicion to interest when Molly offers a half-crown. Despite his rough exterior, he shows integrity by rejecting the idea of stealing the coin.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Class Divide: Charlie’s immediate conclusion that Molly is “rich” highlights the economic gap between them. Molly’s ignorance of public transport and the existence of the Ministry of Food underscores her privileged isolation.
- Wartime Cooperation: The partnership formed across social ranks reflects how the Blitz forced different classes to interact and rely on one another for survival.
- Knowledge vs. Experience: Molly possesses bookish medical knowledge, while Charlie has practical survival skills. Their exchange of information becomes the foundation of their alliance.
- Darkness and Light: The blackout and moonlight create an atmosphere of secrecy and exposure. Charlie hides in shadows; Molly keeps the letter and coin visible. Visibility and concealment drive the tension.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 provides the first face-to-face encounter between the two protagonists. It establishes their distinct backgrounds and personalities while planting the seeds of trust and mutual need. The journey to the Ministry of Food becomes the catalyst for the plot, linking personal quests to the wider wartime machinery. The chapter also introduces key symbols—the half-crown, the infected hand, the letter—that will recur as tokens of connection and peril.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Molly’s diagnosis of Charlie’s infected hand reveal about her character?
Answer: It shows she has practical medical knowledge, likely learned from her father or through her upbringing. The detail suggests she is more capable and observant than a typical sheltered girl, and it gives her a reason to approach Charlie with genuine concern rather than fear.
2. Why does Charlie refuse Molly’s offer of food but accept the half-crown?
Answer: Charlie rejects food because he sees it as charity, which wounds his pride. The half-crown, however, is payment for a service—guiding Molly—so it feels more like a transaction and preserves his dignity. This distinction underscores his desire to be self-reliant.
3. What is the significance of Molly not knowing how to use the Underground or drive?
Answer: Her ignorance of public transport and driving emphasizes her privileged, sheltered life before the war. This lack of practical knowledge puts her at a disadvantage in wartime London, making Charlie’s streetwise guidance necessary. It also highlights the social barriers she must overcome.