Children of the Mind details a society in which thought is rationed, the imagination is considered a disease, and dreaming is considered a subversive activity. Persons suspected of dreaming are summarily 'ebulized' by denizens of the Grave registration, such as one Meilgaard, who, as a matter of public record, would have 'flowers whither to his touch and toadstools sprout from his path.' The Children of the title are a shadowy group whose members have taken to thinking freely.