The stories are individually framed as fables, with each having a set of moral themes.[3] These themes include the randomness of existence, the imperfection of the human form, and artificial life.[4][5]
Aside from the obvious themes about robotics, the work also contains more overt criticisms of the conditions under which it was written, as some stories having directly political messages.[6] Nearly every aristocratic ruler is portrayed as inept or corrupt, ruling over their subjects with brutality and fear. This philosophy was relatively in line with the Soviet view of monarchism. However, contrasting that, a robotic analogue of Karl Marx is also put to death, not because of his ideas, but because he refused to stop attempting to implement his philosophy after his initial failure (a clear critique of the Soviet Union.) The H.P.L.D. ("Highest Possible Level of Development") civilization outright states that it is impossible to force happiness on a civilization, and that it must struggle through the process of building a society itself.[3]
Another heavily present theme is the persistent failure of literality. Trurl and Klapaucius are creatures supposed to be defined by rationality, but their emotions and irrational behavior often cause failures in the most spectacular fashions. In "Altruizine," a substance that causes everyone to feel each other's emotions causes immense widespread suffering. The idea that the universe plays by rational rules is subject to intense mockery; in one case, Trurl's machine that can make anything beginning with the letter N nearly destroys the universe when it is asked to make "nothing."
A select few stories parallel more specific tropes; the tale of O królewiczu Ferrycym i królewnie Krystalii ("Prince Ferrix and the Princess Crystal") apes the typical structure of the medieval love fairytale. The prince goes to seek the love of Princess Crystal (the sexual dimorphism of robotics is never thoroughly explained), but she says she will only marry a "paleface," a term for humans in this apocalyptic future. This is also the only story in which a human is a character; though they are mentioned offhand in others, they are never treated as anything more than a myth. The prince disguises himself as a paleface to try and win her love, but when a true human is brought before her, the incredible ugliness of the human makes it obvious that the prince is only pretending. The Princess forces them to duel to the death, and Prince Ferrix easily crushes the human. However, in the process, Princess Crystal realizes how hideous humans are and falls in love with Ferrix, and the two live happily ever after, in a parody of Chivalric romance.[3] Other parodied tropes include the Sorcerer's Apprentice and the legend of King Midas. By parodying these with Robotics, Lem reevaluates the ethical and moral considerations of these myths.[7]
