With Vashti's comment that she wanted to be euthanised because she gave a bad lecture, it appears that euthanasia is a common want in the people, even if for mundane events. It is therefore, highly possible that this 'pain' Vashti speaks of is something we may not recognise as pain; it may be something mundane that the people controlled by The Machine have been provided with their whole lives, and thus feel they cannot love without.

Another example of the power that the Book and The Machine has over the people, even in a time of crisis that is directly associated with their leaders.

Is Kuno's encounter with these 'other people' explicitly mentioned before this moment in the story?

What is the purpose of these references to Wessex (the Anglo Saxon Kingdom) in terms of forming the overall storyline?

Even in a time of complete terror and upheaval (most likely caused by The Machine) Vashti still believes that the Book will provide her with comfort.

Another example of how blame is not placed upon The Machine when its failings become apparent

The people of this world have become so dependent on The Machine that they cannot accept the entity they accept as their leader may possibly be failing them.

Religion is re-established, however not the in sense we understand today; religious affiliation with The Machine is what is emphasised to the people. Perhaps this was an attempt to make the people so dependent on The Machine they wouldn't realise the collapse of their world.

The Machine and those loyal to it shun the idea of independent thought throughout the story. Creating a collective group focussed around the same ideas as opposed to allowing for opinion and discussion leaves the people dependent on The Machine for guidance and support in their everyday lives.

Wessex was an Anglo Saxon kingdom in the UK up until around the 10th century. While the name is used in some contexts today, the kingdom no longer exists. What was the purpose of bringing this name up again in what we assume to be a futuristic setting?

The Machine and the book detailing its processes again fosters a dependent relationship between the humans and Machines. Humans rely upon the Machine wholeheartedly to solve their problems; this connection creating a system of subservience towards the Machine.

The Machine, through asking if Vashti and the members of the community if they have 'had any ideas lately', fosters a community based upon control; it appears to be a threatening statement, characterising the relationship between the humans and the machines as one of almighty leader (the Machine) dictating the thoughts and ideas of the humans in the community.

The Machine is used merely as a tool to convey messages - emotions cannot be translated through it. Thus, the relationship between the humans and 'The Machine' becomes one of control - in that the Machine has a hold over the humans and influences their social interactions.

This idea of isolation is also a concept foreign to the reader. While the word is familiar, the idea of 'isolating yourself' to talk to others is an unfamiliar idea not used in the present day. These cultural references are not wholly explained, but become more clear in the mind of the reader as the text progresses.

The idea of 'pneumatic post' may need to be explained. As far as I know, this concept is never brought up in the text again, and is not a process that is familiar to a contemporary reader. Therefore, we begin to understand that the text and its cultural references are foreign to us, and are possibly not rooted in our time frame/universe.