In "The Western Lands," William S. Burroughs explores the intrinsic relationship between danger and human existence. He presents danger as a fundamental biological necessity, akin to dreams, suggesting that facing peril is a core aspect of life. This perspective implies that confronting life-threatening situations can evoke a sense of awareness that dissolves the confines of mortality, allowing individuals to experience a fleeting sense of immortality.

Burroughs emphasizes that during moments of direct confrontation with death, individuals transcend their ordinary experiences and connect with something greater. This idea challenges conventional views of danger as merely a threat, positioning it instead as a catalyst for profound realization and existence beyond the mundane. In this way, danger and dreams serve as essential elements in the human experience, prompting deeper reflections on life and mortality.