Dreams in Literature

Dreams are used throughout literature in many different genres, but why use dreams? What purpose do they serve? How do they enhance a novel? In my opinion there are two types of dreams: realistic dreams and nonsense dreams.

Realistic Dreams:

Sometimes you can't even tell the character is dreaming until they wake up. Perhaps a new chapter started right off with a dream. To pull off a realistic dream, the dream needs to consist of events that fit into the novel. You can't have the protagonist slaying a dragon if they work at a coffee shop (although, that could make a good story). You also have to ensure that any characters in the dream are acting as they normally would. You can't have a business man start talking in slang.

Nonsense Dreams:

A nonsense dream is just what you think it is. Nonsense dreams are quite clearly dreams and make no sense at all.

Now we know the two types of dreams, but why do we use them?

Foreshadowing:

The most common use of a dream in literature is to foreshadow future events. You do need to be careful though. If your character straight out saves the world in their dream and then saves the world at the end of the novel, your reader isn't going to be very happy. I personally use dreams to foreshadow events, but I disguise my foreshadowing with riddles, usually in a nightmare. I use a series of random events and symbolism in nightmares to disguise what is going to happen later on. This leaves the reader wondering and then shocks them once they finish the novel. If you write a series, you can foreshadow the next book in your current book, but that's a bit risky because it leaves part of the novel open ended.

Wishes:

Dreams can also be used to show what a character wants. Maybe they dream about a job promotion or about a family member that passed away. Sometimes these dreams can also be used as foreshadowing.

Flashbacks:

Dreams are a very good way to reveal back story in a novel. Rather than beginning a novel with a back story that might not draw in the reader, you can begin the novel with something exciting and reveal the back story in a dream later on.

Emotions:

Lastly, a dream can be used to express strong emotions. This can be a very affective strategy if your protagonist likes to hold their emotions in. You can show the reader what they are feeling without messing with the protagonist's character.

No matter how you use your dreams, or what type you use, make sure it fits with the novel. You might not want to put a nonsense dream in a very serious novel, or you might not want to put a realistic dream in a very light-hearted novel. But, then again, you may want to do the opposite of that. Perhaps a nonsense dream works perfectly in your serious novel. Above all, make sure your dreams don't pull away from the actually purpose of the novel.

(Original Post on November 6, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers101 )