Hemalatha Kannan
M.A., University of Madras
Abstract
This paper examines the implications of the concepts of parallel universe, multiverse and time travel for our understanding of the nature of reality. It argues that these concepts raise important questions about the nature of reality, fate, free will, and causality. Additionally, the paper explores how science fiction works such as the Netflix series “Dark” and the poem “The Road Not Taken” have expanded upon and explored these concepts through imaginative and speculative narratives. Furthermore, it also highlights the recent scientific research and developments in these areas, and how it differs from previous understanding. The paper argues that science fiction has played a vital role in shaping our understanding of the universe and the nature of reality by providing new perspectives and insights into these complex scientific concepts. It raises questions about the nature of time and the possibility of changing the course of history.
Keywords: Parallel universe, multiverse, time travel, science, fiction
Introduction
The concept of time travel and parallel universes has been a recurring theme in science fiction literature and media. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards exploring the more complex and philosophical implications of these concepts. This paper aims to examine the implications of parallel universes, multiverses, and time travel in science fiction, highlighting their significance in our understanding of reality, causality, and the nature of time itself.
Literature Review
Parallel Universes and Alternate Realities:
Parallel universes, also known as alternate realities or dimensions, have been a popular concept in literature for many years. Works like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Through the Looking-Glass, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy have explored the idea of multiple realities existing alongside our own. The existence of parallel universes raises questions about the nature of reality, the role of fate and free will, and the possibility of infinite variations of our own existence.
Multiverses and Causality:
The concept of a multiverse suggests the existence of an infinite number of possible outcomes and timelines. This challenges our understanding of causality, as it implies that every action and decision can lead to multiple branching paths. It questions the deterministic nature of cause and effect, and the impact of our actions on the past, present, and future. By delving into the concept of the multiverse, science fiction prompts us to reevaluate our understanding of the consequences of our choices.
Time Travel and Changing History:
Time travel, another popular theme in science fiction, introduces the possibility of altering the course of history. Works like H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” and Ray Bradbury’s “A Sound of Thunder” have explored the potential consequences of changing the past. By examining the idea of time travel, science fiction raises profound questions about the malleability of history, the ethics of altering events, and the potential ramifications of such actions.
Relevance of Science Fiction in Understanding Scientific Concepts:
The title of this paper emphasizes the focus on parallel universes, multiverses, and time travel in science fiction. It highlights the importance of science fiction as a tool for understanding and exploring scientific ideas, beyond being mere entertainment. By speculating on these concepts, science fiction provides innovative perspectives and new insights that may not be achievable through traditional scientific research alone.
“Netflix’s “Dark” and Time Travel as White Privilege” is a theoretical article that examines the metaphor of white privilege and time travel. The author contends that the show depicts time travel as a privilege available only to a small number of individuals, mostly white ones and that this privilege is utilised to uphold and strengthen their dominance and control over others. In order to comprehend the power dynamics at work in the plot, the article analyses the series representation of time travel. The essay also looks at how the show addresses themes of privilege and race in modern culture. But these have been prevalent in early age.
“Time-Travel Fictions and Philosophy” by Alasdair Richmond is a philosophical article that examines the relationship between time-travel fiction and philosophy. The author argues that time-travel stories can be used as a tool for exploring and understanding philosophical ideas about time, causality, and personal identity. He suggests that the genre of time-travel fiction can be used to highlight and illustrate the logical and conceptual difficulties inherent in the idea of time travel, and to explore the implications of these difficulties for our understanding of nature. He also discusses the different ways time-travel stories deal with these issues and their implications for our understanding of the world.
Dark – Exploring Reality, Fate, and Free Will:
The Netflix series Dark serves as a notable example of how science fiction delves into the philosophical implications of parallel universes and time travel. Through its intricate narrative, the series explores the nature of reality, the role of fate and free will, and the potential consequences of altering the past. Dark offers a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the concept of the multiverse, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different timelines and realities.
Symbolism, Imagery, and Irony in Dark and “The Road Not Taken”:
Dark, as well as Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken,” incorporate symbolism, imagery, and irony to deepen the exploration of parallel universes and the concept of choice. Dark uses symbols like the Winden caves, mirrors, and the color yellow to convey meaning and complexity. Meanwhile, Frost’s poem uses the imagery of a fork in the road and the irony of the speaker’s decision to highlight the idea of alternate paths and outcomes.
Philosophical and Literary Perspectives on Time Travel:
Philosophical articles such as David Lewis’s “The Paradoxes of Time Travel” and Alasdair Richmond’s “Time-Travel Fictions and Philosophy” delve into the logical and conceptual challenges posed by time travel. These works use time travel narratives to explore philosophical ideas about time, causality, personal identity, and the nature of existence. They examine paradoxes, such as the grandfather paradox and the bootstrap paradox, which challenge our understanding of causality and the consistency of the timeline. By examining these philosophical perspectives, science fiction provides a platform for contemplating the intricacies and implications of time travel.
David Lewis’s “The Paradoxes of Time Travel” is a philosophical paper that discusses the logical and conceptual issues related to the idea of time travel. He addresses the possibility of time travel and raises questions and concerns about the logical consistency and coherence of the idea. He also examines the consequences of time travel, such as the potential for self-contradictions and logical paradoxes, and the implications for our understanding of causation and free will.
Symbolism, imagery and irony in Dark and “The Road Not Taken”
The German Netflix series Dark follows a group of characters as they travel through various timelines and realities using time travel as a tool to investigate the effects of their decisions on the past, present, and future. The series raises concerns about the nature of causality and the potential to change the course of history. It explores predestination as well as the influence of free will on how our lives are shaped. It is rich in symbolism and imagery, with many elements that are open to interpretation. Here are a few examples: The Winden caves, which serve as a portal through time, are a recurring symbol in the series. They represent the interconnectedness of the past, present, and future, as well as the idea that one’s actions in the past can have significant consequences in the future. The use of mirrors and reflections is a recurring motif in the series. Mirrors are often used to symbolize the characters’ inner selves and their hidden motivations. They also represent the idea of duality and the different versions of oneself that exist in different timelines. Yellow is often used to symbolize the idea of decay and impending doom. This colour is associated with the apocalypse and is present in many of the scenes set in the future.
“Everything is Connected” by Anna discusses the storytelling techniques used in the first season of the German series Dark (2017-2020), focusing on key aspects of the show’s seriality such as the time frame of the story, the structure of the story, and the unique temporal elements used in the series. The paper argues that the story and visual elements of Dark not only transcend time and space but also create a map of inconsistencies through atemporal and spatial storytelling jumps, which are new in television and serial narration. The paper suggests a new approach to postmodern television formulas and offers a possible interpretation of the recurring theme of captivity in time in the context of the show’s national production.
The show also uses several religious imagery, such as the cross, the apocalypse, the devil, and the end of the world. The knot is a recurring symbol that represents the idea of fate and the interconnectedness of events. The characters often refer to “tying the knot” or “untying the knot” in reference to their attempts to change the course of their destiny. The show also uses several images of animals, such as the bird, the horse, the dog, and the worm. These imageries are used to represent different aspects of the characters and the story. Overall, Dark is a complex and layered series that makes use of symbolism and imagery to add depth and meaning to its story and characters.
In addition, science fiction’s use of time travel offers fresh perspectives on the idea of the present moment and the nature of time itself. For instance, Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” explores the concept of choice and how decisions affect one’s future using the metaphor of a fork in the road. The poem questions the possibility of different paths and outcomes by depicting the idea of alternate realities.
The series uses the idea of parallel universes to raise questions about the nature of reality and the role of fate and free will in shaping our lives, while also exploring the concept of the multiverse on causality and the impact of our actions on the past, present, and future.
Similarly, the poem “The Road Not Taken” uses the imagery of a fork in the road to explore the idea of choice and the impact of one’s decisions on one’s future, providing new perspectives on the concept of time and the nature of reality. Science fiction, by its very nature, allows for the exploration of scientific concepts speculatively and imaginatively, which can provide new insights and perspectives that may not be possible through traditional scientific research.
Lines that highlight futuristic epistemology
There are several lines that explore the implications of parallel universes, multiverses, and time travel in Dark. One example is when the character Martha says, “Everything is connected. Every cause has its effect. Every person is linked to all others. Past, present, and future. We just have to find the connections.” This highlights the idea that every action or event in one universe can have a ripple effect in other universes, and that all the events in the multiverse are interconnected.
Another example is when the character Adam says, “We live in a never-ending spiral of cause and effect. Every decision we make creates a new reality. A new world.” This line emphasizes the idea that every choice we make creates a new reality or universe, and that our actions have a direct impact on the multiverse. The following lines bring out the reality of futuristic epistemology,
“We trust that time is linear. That it proceeds eternally, uniformly. Into infinity. But the distinction between past, present and future is nothing but an illusion. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are not consecutive, they are connected in a never-ending circle. Everything is connected.”
(Dark, Season 1: Secrets)
There are also several lines that explore the implications of parallel universes, multiverses, and time travel in science fiction in Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken,” the line, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference” (Frost, Robert. Lines 18-20) highlights the idea of choice and how the choices we make in life can have a profound impact on our future, and how different choices can lead to different universes or realities.
Another example is the line, “Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.” (Frost, Robert. Lines 13-15). This emphasizes the idea of multiple paths and how the path we choose can ultimately shape our future, and how different paths can lead to different universes or realities.
Dark and “The Road Not Taken” both contain lines that explore the implications of parallel universes, multiverses, and time travel in science fiction. These lines highlight the idea of choice, the interconnectedness of all events in the multiverse and how every decision we make creates a new reality. The series and the poem both explore how different choices can lead to different universes or realities, and how the path we choose can ultimately shape our future.
Greek mythology and multi reality
The idea of parallel universes is also present in Greek mythology. In the myth of Persephone, the goddess of the underworld, it is said that she lives in a parallel universe known as the underworld. This parallel universe is separate from the world of the living, but it is still connected and can impact the fate of those living in the mortal world.
The god Zeus is often portrayed as having the ability to see multiple possible futures, allowing him to make decisions that would ultimately lead to the best outcome. This concept of multiple possible futures is also present in time travel, where one can travel to different points in time and change the course of events.
In Dark, the concept of multiple realities is also explored, as the characters can travel through different timelines and parallel universes. The characters are faced with the challenge of trying to change the past to change their present and future.
“The Road Not Taken” poem also reflects the idea of multiple paths and the concept of choice. The speaker in the poem talks about how he must choose between two paths in the forest, and how the path he chooses will ultimately shape his future.
Time travel, parallel universe, Greek mythology, the series Dark and the poem “The Road Not Taken” all share the common theme of multiple realities and the impact of the choices that we make in life. The examples from Greek mythology such as Zeus and Persephone show how these concepts have been present in human imagination for centuries.
Conclusion
Scientists are currently exploring the possibilities of wormholes, which could potentially be used as a means of time travel. However, these are still theoretical and have not been proven yet. Additionally, recent scientific research has also proposed the possibility of time dilation, in which time may appear to move at different speeds in different parts of the universe.
These recent developments differ from previous understanding in that they are based on scientific evidence and research, whereas previous understanding was mainly based on speculative fiction. It also provides a more solid and detailed understanding of these concepts, whereas previous understanding was based on more general and abstract ideas.
The book chapter “The Unseen World Across the World” by Tiago de Luca likely examines the representation of the parallel universe, multiverse, and time travel in cinema across different cultures and how it reflects cultural and societal beliefs about the unseen world. It explores how these concepts are depicted in films from different countries and cultures, and how they relate to the cultural, historical, and societal context of those countries. By analysing these representations, the author aims to show how these concepts are perceived and understood in different cultures, and how cinema can serve as a window into these cultural and societal beliefs. In Hollywood movies, parallel universes are often depicted as alternate realities where the characters encounter different versions of themselves or different versions of events. An example of this could be the movie “Sliding Doors” (1998) which explores the parallel lives of a woman depending on whether she catches a train or not. In Bollywood movies, time travel is sometimes depicted as a magical or supernatural ability that characters can possess. An example of this could be the movie “Krrish” (2006) in which the protagonist can time travel through a special device. In Japanese anime, multiverses are often depicted as different dimensions or worlds that characters can travel to. An example of this could be the anime “Nanatsu no Taizai” (Seven Deadly Sins) in which the characters travel to different parallel worlds in search of a powerful weapon.
In addition to the examples mentioned in the paper, there are other notable science fiction works that explore these concepts in unique and thought-provoking ways. For example, the movie “Interstellar” explores the concept of time travel using a wormhole and raises questions about the impact of our actions on the past, present, and future. In contrast, the novel The Man in the High Castle explores the idea of parallel universes by depicting an alternative reality where the Axis powers won World War II, providing a new perspective on the concept of historical events and their impact on the present and future.
Furthermore, other science fiction works like Doctor Who and Sliders also explore the idea of time travel, parallel universes and multiverse which provide a unique and engaging perspective on these concepts.
Science fiction, in the form of Netflix series, poems, and movies, has played a vital role in shaping our understanding of parallel universes, multiverses, and time travel. Through the examination of examples such as Dark and “The Road Not Taken,” this paper has argued that science fiction has contributed to the development of futuristic epistemology and scientific dimensions. These works have provided new perspectives and insights into these complex scientific ideas and proved to have raised thought-provoking questions about the nature of reality, fate, and free will.
Works Cited
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Page, Joanna. “Fantasy and Science Between Intellectuals and the Masses.” Science Fiction in Argentina, University of Michigan Press, 2009, pp. 15–50, doi:10.2307/j.ctv65swtz.5.
Greiner, Donald J. “The Use of Irony in Robert Frost.” South Atlantic Bulletin, vol. 38, no. 2, JSTOR, May 1973, p. 52, doi:10.2307/3197763.
Luca, Tiago de. “Planetary Cinema.” Amsterdam University Press, Amsterdam UP, Dec. 2021, doi:10.2307/j.ctv25wxbjs.
Nikolajeva, Maria. “Time and Totalitarianism.” Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, vol. 20, no. 1, 2007.
Pajala, Mari. “Everything Is Connected”. Narratives of Temporal and Spatial Transgression in Dark. 16 July 2021, mediarep.org/handle/doc/17103.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken. January 29, 2023
Stableford, Bryan. “How Should a Science Fiction Story Begin.” Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, vol. 12, no. 3, 2000, pp. 322–37.
Richmond, Alasdair. “Time-Travel Fictions and Philosophy.” American Philosophical Quarterly, vol. 38, no. 4, 2001. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20010046. Accessed 17 Feb. 2023.
Odar, Baran bo, creator. Dark, 2017, Netflix, www.netflix.com.
Hemalatha Kannan has completed M.A. in English from University of Madras. She has been involved in teaching, communication, content writing, product marketing, publishing, and editing for the past five years, since my undergraduate. She is currently working as a Product Marketing Associate. She would love to research in the following broad areas: Indian and British literature, travel, subaltern writings and sci-fi.
[Volume 5, Number 1, 2023]
