Editing Parallel universes in fiction (section)

{{short description|Plot device in fiction}}
{{Distinguish|Parallel novel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
A '''parallel universe''', also known as an '''alternate universe''', '''world''', or '''dimension''', is a [[plot device]] in fiction which uses the notion of a hypothetical [[universe]] co-existing with another, typically to enable alternative narrative possibilities. The sum of all potential parallel universes that constitute reality is often called the "[[multiverse]]".

The device serves several narrative purposes. Among them, parallel universes have been used to allow stories with elements that would ordinarily violate the [[Scientific law|laws of nature]], to enable characters to meet and interact with alternative versions of themselves or others from their home universe, thus enabling further [[Character arc|character development]],<ref name="esquire">{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Jonathan Russell |date=2024-01-16 |title=The End of the Multiverse |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a46318135/multiverse-end/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}</ref> and to serve as a starting point for [[speculative fiction]], particularly [[alternate history]].