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Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Lathe of Heaven, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Limits of Utilitarianism
Dreams and the Limitations of Knowledge
Cosmic Balance
Power and Selfishness
Summary
Analysis
The next day, Orr leaves work and takes the subway back to Portland. He doesn’t have a car, but cars aren’t allowed downtown anyway, which is where he lives. The subway car is packed full of people. A man next to Orr reads a paper with the headline “BIG A-1 STRIKE NEAR AFGHAN BORDER.” Orr exits the train and heads to the Willamette East Tower, which is a large building made of glass and concrete that looks just like every other building that surrounds it.
This scene provides more information about Orr’s world: cars aren’t allowed downtown, which might indicate that the effects of climate change necessitate the rationing of fossil fuels like gasoline. The newspaper headline about a “BIG A-1 STRIKE” suggests that global conflict is another defining feature of Orr’s world. Orr’s description of the Willamette East Tower as much like every other tower reaffirms the idea that Haber (whose office is located in that building) isn’t a particularly important doctor—if he were, his office would be located in a more distinct building
Themes
It’s warm and rainy outside. Though it’s always rained in Portland, the rain never stops these days, and the air is smoggy and polluted. With a population of 3 million, Portland, one of the Old Cities, has fewer residents than New Cities, like John Day or Umatilla, but the New Cities and Old Cities alike are ravaged by a vast array of social and environmental ills. In the Old Cities, there are more infectious diseases, but in the New Cities, there’s more violence.
The direct and indirect consequences of climate change affect cities throughout the state of Oregon (John Day and Umatilla are to the east of Portland). The novel seems to use climate change as a metaphor for cosmic imbalance, where human-made pollution throws the environment’s natural course off balance.
Themes
Orr arrives at Haber’s office, where he signs in with Miss Crouch. He examines the office waiting room, and looking at the vinyl furniture and the desk “plasticoated with a wood finish,” Orr notes that nothing in the office seems “genuine.”
If Haber’s waiting room is a metaphor for Haber himself, then the “plasticoated,” superficial office furnishings construe Haber as a deceptive doctor who is hiding his “genuine” intentions for influencing Orr’s dreams behind a “plasticoated” sheen of professionalism.
Themes
Haber appears and greets Orr enthusiastically. Orr thinks Haber’s energetic demeanor is genuine, though somewhat “plasticoated with professional mannerisms, distorted by the doctor’s unspontaneous use of himself.” He observes in Haber a sort of compulsion “to be liked and a desire to be helpful.” Orr also notes that Haber is “broad, hairy,” and has a “bear’s smile, like a big bear-god.” With much bravado, Haber invites Orr back into the “Palace of Dreams,” guiding him through another hypnotism session. After he regains consciousness, Orr asks Haber if Haber prompted him to dream about the horse again before describing his dream, which began with the horse standing in Haber’s office. The horse defecated, depositing onto Haber’s rug a “tremendous pile of [dung]” that vaguely resembled Mount Hood.
Orr explicitly compares the fake appearance of Haber’s office to Haber himself when he describes Haber’s demeanor as “plasticoated with professional mannerisms.” Orr’s description of Haber as “unspontaneous” suggests that everything Haber says or does is calculated and rehearsed. Haber’s rehearsed mannerisms reflect a controlling personality. Haber’s need to be “liked” and seen as “helpful” could be seen as Haber’s calculated attempt to ingratiate himself to others in order to exert power over them: it’s easier to control and manipulate people who are trusting and mentally disarmed. Orr’s description of Haber as “broad, hairy,” and “like a big bear-god” emphasizes Haber’s intimidating presence, especially next to Orr, who is so slight and mild. The reappearance of Mount Hood in Orr’s dream implies that Haber has instructed Orr to dream about the mountain, so, in this scene, Mount Hood’s presence symbolizes Haber’s continued interference in Orr’s dreams, and Haber’s deliberate attempt to alter reality.
Themes
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Orr looks behind Haber and sees that Mount Hood is back on the wall. Haber doesn’t seem to notice the change, though he’s immensely pleased with the results of this session. Orr sits on the couch and feels defenseless and “used,” knowing that Haber has been watching his brainwaves and telling him what to dream. Besides this, since Haber doesn’t appear to notice the changing murals, it’s doubtful he’ll be able to help Orr with his dream problem.
Mount Hood’s reappearance on the wall confirms that Haber is well aware of the “effective” nature of Orr’s dreams, since suggesting that Orr restore the mural is proof that Haber has knowledge of the mural’s appearance prior to the previous session, when Orr’s dream changed its appearance. The fact that Orr feels “used” suggests that he suspects Haber of knowingly using his effective dreams to change reality.
Themes
In a booming voice, Haber commends Orr’s ability to “dream to order,” follow hypnosuggestions, and respond to the Augmentor, which is great, since Haber would prefer not to treat Orr with drugs, as the mind’s functions are “more fascinating and complex” on their own than with the chemical manipulation drugs. In fact, this is exactly why Haber created the Augmentor in the first place: to give the brain the ability of “self-stimulation.” Haber tells Orr that this session has given him some clarity on the therapeutic approach he'll use to treat him. From now on, Haber will guide Orr to “use” his dreams rather than avoid them: to “face [his] fear” and unleash his “mental powers.” Haber asks Orr if this seems like “the right thing to do.” Orr says he doesn’t know.
Haber uses intentionally ambiguous language to reveal and conceal his awareness of Orr’s dreams’ ability to change reality. If one interprets Haber’s words figuratively, then Haber’s use of the phrase “mental powers” might simply mean that confronting his fear of dreaming will make Orr a psychologically stronger person. Literally, though, Haber’s words explicitly disclose his awareness of Orr’s “mental power” to change reality with his dreams. Haber’s question about whether using Orr’s dreams is “the right thing to do” resonates with the Utilitarian idea that a person should actively strive to change the world in ways that maximize happiness and minimize suffering. Orr’s tepid response to Haber’s question implies that Orr disagrees with the Utilitarian logic that seems to guide Haber’s interest in harnessing the power of Orr’s dreams.
Themes
Orr wonders if Haber’s talk of Orr “employing his mental powers” is proof that Haber is aware of Orr’s ability to change reality with his dreams, but he dismisses his suspicion on the grounds that Haber would’ve been more explicit about it if he actually believed in Orr’s power. Not getting validation from Haber is extremely disappointing to Orr, who had been certain that Haber really did see the mural change from a mountain to a horse yesterday. He thought Haber had kept his discovery to himself out of “shock,” or out of an (understandable) unwillingness to accept the jarring existence of an alternate reality. But when Haber again fails to acknowledge the changed mural, Orr gives up hope that anyone will be able to confirm that he’s not crazy—that his dreams really have the transformative powers he thinks they have.
Haber’s careful phrasing keeps Orr ignorant of Haber’s awareness of the effective dreams. This scene establishes Haber and Orr’s opposite personalities, contrasting Orr’s naïve trust in Haber’s good intentions with Haber’s concealed, manipulative behavior. This moment also shows how alienating Orr’s effective dreams are: his knowledge of multiple realities separates him from others and makes it difficult to relate to the larger world.
Themes
Desperate for relief, Orr asks Haber if he could give him a “posthypnotic suggestion” not to have effective dreams anymore. Haber refuses, reiterating how important it is for Orr to face his fears. He then goes on a tangent about how daydreams can boost one’s ego. Haber, for example, daydreams of “heroic” scenarios in which he saves the world. He asks Orr about his daydreams, and Orr describes a fantasy about going away to a cabin to escape Portland’s crowds.
Haber’s refusal to cure Orr indicates that he has bigger plans for Orr’s power. Haber’s admission about having “heroic” fantasies provides insight into these plans: perhaps Haber wants to use Orr’s dreams to play out these fantasies in real life. So far, the novel has made a point to construe Haber as someone who desires control and respect. In light of this, one might speculate that his “heroic” fantasies reflect a selfish desire to been seen as a hero rather than a desire to save the world for the world’s sake.
Themes
Haber asks Orr if he’d like to undergo a second round of hypnosis today. Orr asks if Haber can inform him of the hypnosuggestions he employs this time, but Haber refuses, arguing that disclosing the hypnosuggestions could cause Orr to confuse what he actually dreamed with the dreams Haber wanted him to dream. Haber urges Orr to trust him. Orr doesn’t, though he wishes he could. Haber proceeds with the second round of hypnosis.
By this point, it’s abundantly clear that Haber is determined to keep Orr as uninformed as possible about his treatment plan. Orr’s ignorance gives Haber complete control over Orr’s dreams, allowing Haber to manipulate them however he likes under the guise of administering treatment.
Themes
When Orr comes to, he relays bits of his dream to Haber: he recalls the South Seas, coconuts, and an image of Haber walking beside President John Kennedy, who was carrying an umbrella. In the dream, Haber took Kennedy’s umbrella from him, telling Kennedy he wouldn’t need it any longer. Almost immediately, the rain stopped, and Kennedy told Haber he was “right.” After he finishes describing his dream, Orr tells Haber that it actually “has stopped raining,” which Haber will see for himself once he leaves the office. Haber wants to continue with the hypnosis, but Orr is too exhausted for more. They arrange to conduct another session on Saturday night.
Haber appears to have manipulated the content of Orr’s dream to eliminate the persistent rain Portland sees as a result of climate change. This somewhat complicates Haber’s exploitation of Orr’s dreams, since it means that he’s using them for noble reasons rather than for selfish, evil ones. Still, the fact that Orr’s dream features Haber walking beside Kennedy implies that ambition and power also motivate Haber’s desire to do good deeds. This detail resonates with Haber’s earlier admission about having fantasies of being a hero.
Themes
Orr leaves Haber’s office knowing his most recent dream was a particularly effective one: the absence of rain and smog in the air are evidence of this. Normally, Orr only has effective dreams once a month. Though under Haber’s care, and with the Augmentor keeping him in the d-sleep phase, he’s had three in the last two days. Orr wonders whether Haber’s hypnosuggestion had been to dream about the rain stopping, Kennedy, or Haber himself.
Orr’s dream has had a positive effect on Portland’s air quality, but this doesn’t erase the fact that there’s clearly something fishy going on in Orr’s sessions with Haber. Orr seems suspicious of the Augmentor’s ability to induce effective dreaming, and this feeling is amplified by the fact that being either unconscious or in a trance state during treatment sessions prevents him from knowing how exactly Haber is using the machine.
Themes
It bothers Orr that he can’t recall Haber’s suggestions, since he’s technically conscious until Haber instructs him to sleep. Orr thinks back to the horse dream and wonders if Haber had instructed him to dream about the horse and the dung, or if Orr added the dung element subconsciously, though he doubts the latter is true: why would he? As the train approaches Alder Street Station, Orr is struck by a joyous revelation: the appearance of the dung in his dream implies that Haber’s hypnosuggestion was to replace the horse with the mountain—which means that Haber had to have known the mountain mural existed before the horse mural, which means Haber is aware of Orr’s dream’s ability to change reality, which means that Orr isn’t insane!
Orr’s revelation about Haber is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it confirms that he’s not crazy, which is something he’s desperately desired for a while now. On the other hand, the revelation implies that Haber has some ulterior motive for concealing his knowledge of Orr’s effective dreams.
Themes
Orr exits the subway at Ross Island Bridge West, returns to his minuscule room at the Corbett Condominium building, and places a slice of soybeanloaf in the infrabake for dinner. It’s only after he cracks open a beer than he begins to wonder why Haber chose to hide his knowledge of Orr’s effective dreams. Haber’s deception unsettles Orr, but he tries to be hopeful, imagining how Haber will go about treating Orr’s curious affliction, now that he knows it exists.
Orr’s dinner of “soybeanloaf” suggests that people in Orr’s world have limited access to meat, which is perhaps another consequence of climate change. Orr remains confident in Haber’s good intentions because he has no other choice: if he stops going to treatment, he’ll be incarcerated and denied the drugs he needs to control his effective dreams. Orr’s relative powerlessness makes sessions with Haber Orr’s only means of ridding himself of his affliction.
Themes
