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Cover of The Worlds of If

The Worlds of If

Written by Stanley G. (Stanley Grauman) Weinbaum

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Science FictionShort stories

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About this book

"The Worlds of If" by Stanley G. Weinbaum is a science fiction short story written in the early 20th century. The narrative blends themes of time travel with speculative concepts about alternate realities, focusing on the idea of "what could have been" had different choices been made. Through a unique machine invented by the protagonist's former professor, the story explores the profound implications of one's decisions on the fabric of reality. Dixon Wells, the protagonist, grapples with feelings of guilt after missing a flight that ultimately ends in disaster, the sinking of the rocket "Baikal". Through a contraption called the "subjunctivisor," which allows users to view alternate realities based on hypothetical decisions, he seeks to understand what would have happened had he boarded the flight. As he engages with the machine, he rekindles memories of a captivating encounter with Joanna Caldwell, a fellow passenger, but is ultimately devastated to discover she survived the crash yet married the man who saved her. This poignant exploration of missed opportunities and the "worlds of if" ultimately leaves Wells to confront his own fate and the consequences of being perpetually late.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Worlds of If, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • speculative
  • melancholy
  • thought-provoking

Stanley G. Weinbaum's "The Worlds of If" is an early 20th-century science fiction short story that delves into the profound implications of choice and regret through the lens of time travel and alternate realities. Protagonist Dixon Wells, haunted by his tardiness leading to him missing a fatal rocket flight, uses a unique invention called the "subjunctivisor" to explore hypothetical outcomes. This device allows him to witness the 'what ifs' of his life, particularly concerning a captivating fellow passenger, Joanna Caldwell, he might have met on the doomed flight. His journey through these alternate realities tragically reveals Joanna survived the crash but married the man who saved her, leaving Wells to confront the bitter consequences of his perpetual lateness and the unchangeable nature of his own reality.

“Every 'if' carves a new universe, a path untaken, a life unlived.”

Key themes

The Nature of Choice and Consequence
The story profoundly explores how even seemingly small decisions can ripple through an individual's life and alter the fabric of reality. It delves into the weight of choices made and not made, and the inescapable consequences that follow.
Regret and Missed Opportunities
Central to Wells's character, this theme explores the deep-seated human pain of reflecting on past events and wondering how different life might have been. The story captures the anguish of unfulfilled potential and the longing for a chance to revisit or alter the past.
Alternate Realities and the Multiverse
The story is a pioneering work in the science fiction subgenre of alternate realities. It introduces the concept that every decision, every 'if,' could potentially branch off into a separate reality, creating an infinite number of possible worlds. This challenges a linear view of time and destiny.

Worth discussing

How does the concept of the 'subjunctivisor' challenge our understanding of free will versus destiny?

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