The short story "Was It a Dream?" plays on the idea of a dream on several levels. First of all, the characters are unnamed and generic. This is a strategy in order to show the reader that the characters are not special, they are everyone. In fact, the character could be the reader himself. The story is built in this way, forcing us to empathize deeply with the character.
Second, the story leaves the character confused, questioning how well can we really get to know a person, even when we believe we love him or her. Therefore, the story has a dream-like quality for the character.
Finally, the reader himself cannot fully trust the events he was told. Not only is the character confused, but the reader himself is not offered any clarity, making it all feel like a dream.
