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martial-law-society
The civilian world is depicted as living under martial law, with ration tickets, government control, and an unofficial system of communes managing resources and labor.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Forever War (1976)Joe Haldeman
Chapter 2
In this chapter, the protagonists William and Marygay prepare for their deployment and reflect on the social and psychological impacts of the ongoing war, including the alienation from civilian life and the pervasive sense of stagnation and decline in society. They travel by dirigible to London, experiencing a mix of luxury and societal decay, and witness firsthand the harsh realities of life under martial law and rationing. The chapter ends with a violent incident that forces William to confront the brutal violence present in the civilian world.