The major theme in Beka Lamb is that of social insecurity, especially as it relates to race, class, and empire. Much of the social insecurities are the socioeconomic frustrations that Creoles experience as they try to rise from lower to middle class status in Belieze. The theme is conveyed through For example, Toycie's experiences in being pregnant out of wedlock a socioeconomic issue rather than a moral issue.

Other themes that emerge are that of political change, social prejudices between the creoles and the "white" people, "coming of age (Beka in trying to discover who she really is), and a woman's role in society.