The Borrowers is part of a strong tradition of British children’s literature that emerged in the years following World War II. Britain’s economy and social structures were greatly impacted by the war, and many books from that time period reflect both the generalized turmoil of the era and the resilient attitude that post-war British families took pride in maintaining. These themes are visible in both the human family and the Clock family.

The wealthy human family lives in a crumbling old country home that was formerly full of people and elegant parties, a state of affairs designed to reflect the diminished stature of many upper-class English families in the first half of the 20th century, for many such families were unable to continue their lavish lifestyles after the British Empire began to decline. This pattern is reflected in Pod and Homily Clock’s reminiscences of years past when there were many other people in the house. At the time of the story, however, only Great Aunt Sophy and her employees reside in the house.

In many ways, the Borrowers can be viewed as a contrast to the presumably upper-class humans and a reflection of the average British citizens who struggled under both general societal austerity and class pressure during the post-war years.