What is the theme of Specials ?

Humanity and the destruction of nature is an important theme in the novel. There is a constant motif of a previous civilization called Rusties throughout. This civilization destroyed the nature completely and finally destroyed themselves in the process. These artificial towns where people are controlled and manipulated and the population kept under control are made to prevent them following in their ancestors' footsteps. At the end, when people are completely free of the shackles of this controlled society there is still a concern for what the consequences might be, if they will go down the previous generation's path again. It sends a message that people have to find a way to live alongside nature instead of destroying it.