The Lathe of Heaven story
A man's dreams retroactively alter reality.
17 total · 3 major · 14 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| ironic twist of fate | major | Each time Haber got George to dream away one of humanity's problems, the problem was solved in an ironic way. For example, world peace was achieved by having everyone unite against an alien invasion, and racism was eliminated by making everyone gray. |
| the lust for power | major | William Haber exploited George's ability to increase his own wealth and status until he was effectively ruler of the planet. |
| what if my thoughts became reality | major | George's dreams dramatically altered reality. For example, when he dreams of a sunny day, the clouds in the real world sky dispersed away. |
| attack from outer space by a powerful conquering enemy | minor | George dreamed that aliens were attacking the Moon as a prelude an invasion of Earth. |
| colonization of the Moon | minor | George dreamed of aliens attacking a human colony on the Moon. |
| coping with radiation sickness | minor | The film opened and closed with George overcome with radiation poisoning. |
| cure for cancer | minor | Haber had George dream up an end to cancer. |
| drug abuse | minor | George was sent to see licensed oneirologist William Haber for abusing two prescription medications. This he had done to keep himself from dreaming. |
| extraterrestrial being | minor | George dreamed of strange aliens invading Earth. |
| human overpopulation | minor | Haber manipulated George into dreaming up a solution to the overpopulation problem. But things did not go exactly according to plan when George dreamed up a six billion people killing plague. |