While Kzanol holds significance not as an individual, but as the final testament of the thrints' legacy, it is through his memories that we are transported to the grandeur of the ancient Slaver Empire, a realm that flourished eons ago. His telepathic prowess instills in him a sense of supremacy over all other entities, a notion not born of malice but engrained in the very psyche of the Slaver race. Niven masterfully illustrates that the moral compass of his alien characters is often sculpted by their surroundings and lineage. Instead of condemning them by human standards alone, humanity must embrace the essence of their alien nature with a pragmatic mindset.

The novel’s protagonist, Larry Greenberg, possesses a rudimentary form of telepathy, enabling him to grasp foreign perspectives. His venture into Kzanol’s mind nearly results in his subjugation by the thrint, yet he emerges with the alien's profound memories. Armed with newfound insights into thrint society and a clever prank courtesy of Charlie, a shrewd dolphin confidant, Larry thwarts Kzanol’s plans. He embodies a quintessential Niven hero: an explorer by birth, adept at comprehending extraterrestrial thought processes, preferring intellect over brawn to navigate challenges, and wielding limited telepathic abilities. Niven posits that while humans may harbor telepathic potential, such gifts must be modest, as otherwise, evolutionary forces would have already unveiled them. Consequently, Niven’s protagonists, like Greenberg, prevail through the shrewd use of their unique talents, echoing his belief that humanity can conquer the perils of an uncertain universe—an optimism that resonates with the creators and consumers of classic hard science fiction.