This narrative device, frequently encountered in literature and film, involves a plot twist where the preceding events are revealed to be a dream. A character experiences a series of happenings, often fantastical or unsettling, only to awaken and discover it was all a figment of their imagination. A simple example is a character falling from a great height, only to jolt awake in their bed.
The use of this plot mechanism can serve multiple purposes. It can provide an escape from the constraints of reality, allowing authors to explore complex themes and scenarios without the limitations of plausibility. Furthermore, it can serve as a commentary on the nature of reality itself, questioning the line between perception and genuine experience. Historically, this technique has been employed to provide surprising resolutions, add layers of psychological depth, or even satirize genre conventions.
