Woody has recurring nightmares throughout the book. What do we learn about him and his past? Is this an effective plot device?

What role do Woody's recurring nightmares play in the plot development? What further insights does the reader obtain into Woody's inner world and how does this foreshadow events?

Woody's recurring nightmares are an effective way to slowly reveal bits of his past that are relevant to the workings of his development. As we go throughout our days, we are not constantly reflecting on events from our past, so these nightmares with the repetitive bits of conversations, explain important information about Woody. I feel this is the most compelling way to accomplish the author's need to expand what we know about Woody.

Nightmares are a good way to learn more about a character. It revels hidden inner thoughts and fears. This is one way to earn more about Woody without him having to actually tell this to someone.

First, I think that the fact Woody was finally able to fall asleep on this journey reveals that he felt a sense of security and safety brought on by the presence of the Old Man. Most likely he was experiencing PTSD, as his life up until this point had been incredibly traumatic. I thought the dreams showed that he did have a loving relationship with his mother. When she died, the one person in his life who accepted his gift and appreciated it was no longer there to support him-or at least balance out the behavior of his father. Woody also learned that his dreams/visions had beneficial power, as well. He was somewhat prepared when Cooter tried to steal the giraffes at gunpoint. They also prompted him to begin writing down the story of his giraffes to share with Red’s daughter.

Woody's nightmares were incredibly effective at telling the reader what his life had been like before he got to New York. They conveyed the sense of horror he felt. The fact that they were recurring strengthened their importance.

As others have said I belief Woody’s nightmares are a means of filling in his story, of why he is where he is and who he is.
I lived the way the author only revealed bits and pieces and they all fit together as he himself told his story.

Woody's nightmares were a wonderful literary device to help fill out Woody's character and give the reader a deeper understanding of Woody's personality, his background and what made Woody feel and fear. His life had not been easy, he lost every thing he ever loved, and to survive he had to keep it buried, but it came out in his dreams.

I think Woody's nightmares worked perfectly for this book, an extremely effective way to give readers the backstory without having to insert a flashback chapter with a different date as the chapter title.

I agree with those who said that Woody's nightmares effectively fill the reader in about his earlier life. I liked the way I learned about Woody through these nightmares.

I think the nightmares and his inability to sleep maintained an air of mystery about Woody that kept the reader engaged in the story, in addition to wanting to know how the giraffes' journey ended.

They were a little puzzling at first, but actually were a good device to reveal some of his harrowing experiences, and how he blamed himself for things that were not his fault.