Importance of Food?

Throughout the voyage, food becomes a central issue. Rations are low and food is very scarce. After the slave rebellion, food becomes so scarce that the crewmembers find themselves chewing on candles and leather to stay alive. Cringle sacrifices his body so that the crew can use it for food. Once Rutherford is rescued after the Republic sinks, being presented with food comes as a shock to him, especially after having eaten part of his first mate only shortly before. Rutherford talks about growing up as a poor child, and the either/or agony of having so little that there is not enough to share and to eat even one biscuit is to deprive your brother of that same biscuit, making every day a moral dilemma.