Because many primitive cultures assign equal value to both the fantasy and external world, dreams serve as their guides to both ritual and individual behavior. Trained in anthropology and psychology, the author of this work collected and examined more material than ever studied previously to demonstrate the key role of dreams in primitive society. Combining material from library as well as field research, this analysis opens with a historical review of dream interpretation, exploring the structure, theory, and function of dreams in primitive cultures and examining their predominant symbols, types, and forms. Focusing chiefly on Native American dreams, the study defines their significance to the individual as well as their relationship to the culture pattern.