Chapter 11 Summary and Analysis

Our fantasies, although usually fulfilling childhood-based needs, can often turn ugly. We sometimes fear that our fantasies have power to control events, and that our thoughts can be harmful. Viorst feels this idea of the power of thoughts belongs to a stage that we all go through and never quite leave. We also perceive that there are cosmic lessons provided to us to remind us of what we wish and do not wish to be. However, Viorst feels that our fantasies express "what, in actual life, we have civilized, harnessed, transformed and tamed." Of course, fantasies can dominate the unhealthy mind, but most people feel if we can express our fantasies and acknowledge that they are harmless, we will find "release and relief."

Sleeping dreams are part of our unconscious realm where reality does not necessarily apply. Our sleeping minds create...