Dream State

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, mental illness, and addiction.

Throughout the novel, the three main characters seek to understand themselves in relation to the institution of marriage, at times seeking to change the nature of the institution to fit their own desires or changing themselves to accommodate it. Initially, both Cece and Charlie look forward to their marriage, but it becomes apparent that Cece is more enthusiastic about the wedding than the marriage. Her preoccupation with making the details perfect both reveals her insecurity about others’ opinions of her and masks her ambivalence about her true feelings. When she meets Garrett and quickly falls inexplicably in love with him, the experience confirms her previously vague worry that Charlie was not the right partner for her. Though she knows that her decision to pursue a relationship with Garrett will hurt Charlie, she feels compelled to follow this decision in a way that she cannot explain with logic. Importantly, Garrett has always vehemently opposed the institution of marriage, largely because of the hurt suffered by his parents as the result of their divorce. Prior to meeting Cece, he regards marriage as oppressive, restrictive, and unnecessary and is critical of those who enter into it.