The way setting is constructed also establishes themes, which is evident in the setting of laboratory. .
Immorality is a key issue addressed in the novel Sole Survivor, and by using setting appropriately, in this case the laboratory, Koontz portrays this message strongly. The laboratory is associated with Teknologik, which creates the "David and Goliath" theme. This theme is portrayed strongly through the use of the laboratory due to its abnormal creations. This setting is the location of which "paranormally" talented children are created and one of which is evil, supporting this theme. This evil creation is the cause of the crash of Flight 353 causing the deaths of many. Within this setting the reader's values of love and affection are also questioned and challenged. In the laboratory, the children are raised in "cells" and are given numbers to discourage emotional bonds between their carers called "handlers". These "handlers" "must remain morally neutral and emotionally detached in order to do their work properly," this treatment towards children is immoral and wrong, creating questions within the reader's minds. Another thought created in the reader's mind is how society is portrayed and how Koontz portrays this through the use of setting. .
Koontz uses the setting of the toilet as a powerful representation of society. This setting in particular, is described through a lot of detail to support Koontz's ideas of "money rules the world" and that "women do not receive respect from men and the youth". During this scene in the toilet, Joe helps the reader's understand how men and youth have no respect towards women; this is achieved through the conversation between Joe and an adolescent. The conversation begins with Joe meeting a long-haired fourteen-year-old in swim trunks and sandals; Joe says "I"ll give you twenty bucks to reconnoiter for me, then come back and tell me where they are.
