The "Worm Moon" of the title refers to a faked lunar landing, a grand deception designed to prove the Motherland’s superiority. Gardner uses this central lie to critique how authoritarian regimes use spectacle to distract from domestic suffering. The moon, traditionally a symbol of mystery and beauty, is revealed to be "worm-eaten"—corrupt and hollow—much like the society Standish inhabits. By exposing this lie, Standish doesn't just debunk a scientific claim; he dismantles the myth of the state’s invincibility.

The story’s strength lies in its protagonist, Standish Treadwell. Labeled as "stupid" by the state because of his dyslexia and unique way of seeing the world, Standish actually possesses a clarity that his peers lack. While the citizens of the Motherland are fed lies about a glorious space race and a moon landing, Standish sees the peeling paint, the hunger, and the disappearances of those who dissent. His perspective serves as a literary device to illustrate that those who do not fit the "perfect" mold of a regime are often the ones best equipped to recognize its inherent flaws.

Friendship acts as the catalyst for rebellion in the novel. The bond between Standish and his friend Hector provides a rare glimpse of warmth in a cold, gray world. When Hector and his family are taken away by the authorities, Standish’s quest to find them transforms from a personal mission into a strike against the heart of the government’s propaganda machine. This shift highlights a central theme: individual acts of love and loyalty are the ultimate threats to systems built on fear and isolation.