Nosaka depicts the economic difficulties of Seita and Setsuko in order to remind its readers of the difficulties Japan is going through, telling them to value life. Not having money causes Seita and Setsuko to mature at a rapid pace and highlights the importance of life in a time of great poverty. “… she bit (the apple) with sparkling eyes, but immediately she said that it was not an apple… tears came to her eyes 'even a potato is good, isn't it not ?' ", the juxtaposition of the emotive language of "twinking eyes" and "tears" evokes sadness in readers as they are forced to appreciate the little things in Cold War poverty. Seita and Setsuku are left to their own devices and even though very little time passes, their environment and economic situation force them to mature. The fireflies they see at night become their sense of hope and they enjoy their time together even though they have nothing – food, house or money. Nosaka emphasizes the importance of money when Setia cannot afford medicine and food, resulting in their deaths, "In the afternoon...Seita...died of deprivation", the narration shifts to the third person describing Seita's death objectively establishes Seita's loss. . Nosaka emphasizes message that money was very important during air raids and bomb drops in Japan.