Christopher's story teaches that social conditioning can hamper the free exercise of moral responsibility. Rob's experience suggests that moving from one culture to another involves more than superficial change. Values rated highly in the Conurb, such as modesty, are not valued in the County, where a certain self-confidence and authority are taken for granted. The complacency and narrow-mindedness fostered among both the gentry and the Conurbans prevent them from achieving autonomy.

The Guardians-suggests that social barriers are artificial. Although this particular story is set in England, its lessons apply wherever social barriers divide people along ethnic, religious, class, or gender lines.