[4] The literary message of Mass was "a society intent only on calculating a man's price is one that ultimately devalues all men".

The uprising fails, and one of the characters goes back to Central Luzon to discover his origins in order to rebuild his life.

[4] Instead of becoming like his father who was enticed by wealth,[4] Pepe became a follower of a former commander of the Hukbalahap(Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon) rebels, turned local affairs devotee and student leader in Manila.

[5] Pepe Samson is raised by Emy in Cabugawan, then goes to live with an aunt in Manila in order to study in college.

[3] Other characters included student activists, members of women's liberation movement, drug addicts, and intellectuals.