In Cormac McCarthy's "Cities of the Plain," the idea that a dream within a dream might hold deeper significance challenges our understanding of reality. This concept invites readers to question the nature of their perceptions and the boundaries between dreams and waking life. It suggests that what we experience might not always be straightforward and could be layered with meaning that eludes us.

The novel explores themes of existence, identity, and the very essence of dreams. By contemplating what it means for a dream to exist within another, McCarthy delves into the complexities of human experience and reflection, urging readers to consider how dreams may reflect our innermost thoughts or glimpses of a reality that feels more substantive than mere illusion.