On a fundamental level, Gail Godwin’s “Dream Children” explores the nature of the real world—that which is quantifiable and explicable—versus the many levels of the mystical otherworlds, including the dream world. It also questions whether the otherworlds are observable reality or mere extensions of insane minds. Mrs. McNair searches for the meaning of the visits with her dead child by voraciously reading about the experiences of others. Through her research, she discovers that night journeys, apparitions, and paranormal experiences have captured the imaginations of countless generations of intelligent, literate people.

She further muses over the nature of reality while observing her dog. Does the rabbit of which he dreams have a separate reality, she wonders? Her search for explanation is an empty one, for her experience is personal and unique, not quantifiable. Finally, she does not care whether she has simply dreamed of her child or whether he has on some level actually visited her. Either way, she is supremely happy in her secret otherworld, for no matter what, she is convinced that her son loved her.