Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock Versions of Reality

Stevens wasn't much of a religious guy, but one thing he did believe in was the power of imagination. Why? Because imagination opens up all possible versions of reality. How does it do that? By creating reality in the first place. Are your minds blown? Well, they should be. All right, enough already. We'll stop asking questions and leave you with this nugget of wisdom: "Disillusionment of Ten O'Clock" is about this very dynamic. Folks with imagination are able to create their own interesting realities, while folks without it are, well, not.

Questions About Versions of Reality

1. In the poem, how do reality and facts influence the dreams of the characters?
2. What is the purpose of listing different color schemes from line 3 to line 6? Does that change the meaning of the poem for you? 
3. In line 7, does "them" refer to the people in the houses or the nightgowns, or both? Why? 
4. If most of the images are of what the nightgowns and people are not, are there any images in the poem that represent "reality" as we know it? What are they and why are they important?
5. How do the sailors create their own reality?

Chew on This

The only image in the poem that isn't figurative (meaning the thing is literally there in the world of the poem) is the image of the sailor asleep in his boots, which is meant to show the reality of his imagination.

The purpose of listing different colors, and accessories, is to let the reader know that there are infinite variables in life, and only the imagination can limit the possibilities.