Overall, it tells the story of the dying and relatively short-lived culture of upper-middle class Americans, and the transition into a much more efficient society with less emphasis on tradition and more emphasis on progress. Some characters are made fun of, as is the culture itself, but there is also a genuine longing for the sense of stability, comfort and togetherness that the culture provides.
In essence, it describes the decline of upper-middle class American culture and its transformation into a more efficient society with less regard for tradition and greater focus on advancement. Some characters are satirized, along with the culture itself, but there is also an underlying longing for the sense of security, comfort, and togetherness that this culture once offered.