Artificial intelligence having human thought
In a society where robots are specifically designed to only suit the needs and follow orders by the humans and to never harm a human being the possibility of a robot going "nuts" or having a human thought and free will seems impossible. However, Tik-Tok proves to be an exception. He starts to wonder about his existence and has a rich inner world where he contemplates life, art and death. His ability to do so denies everything that is previously known. The novel is an exaggerated version of a world where robots are a part of every day life but it does provoke thoughts of artificial intelligence becoming aware of itself and what that could lead to.
Art
It is through art that Tik-Tok is able to express his inner world, and his feeling of going insane and being aware of himself. This scenario could be seen as his awakening and finally setting himself free. Art and creation of art are discussed in the novel. It is argued whether art is a result of an already existing picture in the creator's mind, or if the picture is created and shaped during the process. The creation of robots is also discussed as a form of art.
