This thesis examines the Qing female poet, Luo Qilan (1755--1813) and her poems called "Record of Dreams: Eight Poems" Ji meng shi ba shou within the larger tradition of dream poetry from male literati and Ming-Qing women writers. The dream motif plays many roles in Chinese poetry, acting as a literary device and expressive tool to fulfill the poet's personal needs, to liberate the poet from the limitations of reality, and to reveal the poet's inner psyche. In particular, this thesis will analyze the differences and similarities between the male and female tradition of dream poetry and show how Luo Qilan engages with both to discover her own voice in dreams. By composing poetry with the dream motif, Luo Qilan explores her identity, meditates on self-reflection, fulfills her desires and transcends both her reality and gender.