In "The Year of the Flood," the character Toby becomes disillusioned with the idea of measuring time, choosing instead to simply exist without marking its passage. This reflects a shift in perspective, indicating that the conventional understanding of time as a linear progression doesn't resonate with her experience.

Pilar's metaphor of time as a sea emphasizes the fluidity and subjective nature of time. Instead of viewing time as something that moves forward, she suggests that it envelops us, allowing us to float along without the need to count its moments. This deepens the exploration of how individuals relate to the concept of time in their lives.