How is the concept of "time" an important element in the book, Jacob’s Room: Novel?

Time, in conjunction with how it is treated in the novel, symbolizes the transience and ever-changing nature of life and individual people. The novel, though relatively short, covers almost 20 years in Jacob’s life, often taken sudden, large leaps forward in time. This makes the changes in the characters’ lives very pronounced. It emphasizes the abrupt and premature nature of Jacob’s death, as he is killed in combat at a young age.