what is the significance of prendick's dream?

Prendick's dreams in Chapter V reflect a growing animalism in the novel. He sees "guns and howling mobs." With this, the cruelty of the captain, and Doctor Moreau's refusal to take Prendick, the novel is presenting a very unflattering image of Prendick's fellow man. The humans all too often act like animals. The animals on board, meanwhile, elicit sympathy given that they are dumped roughly from the ship. As in earlier chapters, Wells is working to prejudice the reader toward the beasts over the men.