The Primer's story reflects aspects of her temporal surroundings, translating the sometimes terrifying adult world into metaphor that Nell can understand and act on. In this principle story line episodes from exterior events and chapters from the Primer alternate in a fascinating and delightful narrative. Sub-plots also abound, including the career of Hackworth as an undercover agent, the life and times of the only honest judge in Hong Kong, and the fate of all the orphaned girl children in China. In fine Stephensonian fashion, ultimately all these threads weave their way full circle to a grand climax on the beaches of Hong Kong. The civilization of The Diamond Age is comprised of a patchwork of voluntary tribal alliances, similar to those Stephenson earlier explored in Snow Crash .
Citizens adopt the code of their chosen tribe and thus are defined as members of the group.
The persistence of any tribe depends on adherence to its agreed-upon ethical system by its members. As long as a critical mass of members is maintained the tribe exists. The details of a given code are of relatively less importance than its existence. Stephenson gives NeoVictorianism and Confucism equal billing as guiding systems for civilized life because both place heavy emphasis on internalized codes of behavior. The Diamond Age is about the nature of society and role of education within it.