Technological advancement
The novel portrays a futuristic world where the world is controlled with high technological advancement. Molecular nanotechnology is a determining aspect of lifestyle. There is an existence of so called "mites", atomic particles which are everywhere and which provide environmental and bodily information. Living supplies are created "matter compliers", machines that produce any supply with a press of a button. Another aspect of this world is means of transportation, "chevalines", which interestingly enough, are machines with an appearance of a horse. The writer uses detailed description in building an entirely new world based on the known one. But, there is still the familiar fear of how far the technology will go to replace humanity and the inability of it to replace it, as is the case of Nell and Miranda, and what could happen if the wrong technology falls into the wrong hands.
Education
The novel represents Nell's life from the circumstance of her birth to her becoming a queen. The need for the primer itself arises from the issue of lack of real-life education for the young girls. It is created to teach the girls "real knowledge" aside from how to properly dress and behave themselves, which is another aspect of the Victorian-inspired world. It teaches Nell the language; it teaches her how to defend herself and to make better decisions. The primer portrays a female character, Princess Nell, as a hero on her quest whilst teaching the real Nell how to step up and fight for herself in real life. This education that the primer provides for Nell, leads her from an abused and poor little girl to a strong and self-reflective queen of like-minded little girls.
