In "Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood, the protagonist grapples with the concept of time and its inherent limitations. The notion that time can be treated as a personal resource, easily spent and managed, is ultimately revealed as a flawed perspective. The character recognizes that time is not a commodity he controls but rather a finite resource slipping away.

This awareness of the passage of time creates a sense of urgency, highlighting the inevitability of loss and the inefficacy of attempts to conserve it. The imagery of a box with holes metaphorically illustrates how futile it is to try and hold onto time, as it escapes regardless of one's intentions. This reflection prompts deeper questions about how we value our time and the choices we make within its constraints.