The is the text of the fictional book, “The Philosophy of Time Travel” by Roberta Sparrow which is heavily referenced in the movie Donnie Darko.

The “Philosophy of Time Travel” is a fictional book written by character Roberta Sparrow, or more commonly referred to as “Grandma Death”.  Dr. Kenneth Monnitoff gives this book to Donnie during one of their conversations about time travel.  Since Roberta Sparrow is a fictional character in the movie Donnie Darko, it is not clear who has written this book, but it was most likely the director, Richard Kelly or his staff. It was included on the Official DVD to help viewers understand the plot of the movie and to help explain many of the occurring events. The book has chapters missing from it, most likely on purpose to give it more of an authentic feel, since if such a book existed, it would probably contain large amounts of extraneous information which is not needed to understand the plot. Below is a copy of “The Philosophy of Time Travel.

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The Philosophy Of Time Travel

By Roberta Sparrow

Foreword

I would like to thank the Sisters of the Saint John Chapter in Alexandria, Virginia for their support in my decision.

By the grace of God, they are:

• Sister Eleanor Lewis
• Sister Francesca Godard
• Sister Helen Davis
• Sister Catherine Arnold
• Sister Mary Lee Pond
• Sister Virginia Wessex

The intent of this book is for it to be used as a simple and direct guide in a time of great danger.

I pray that this is purely a work of fiction.

If it is not, then I pray for you, the reader of this book.

If I am still alive when the events foretold in these pages occur, then I hope that you will find me before it is too late.

Roberta Ann Sparrow – October, 1944

Chapter One – The Tangent Universe

The Primary Universe is fraught with great peril. War, plague, famine and natural disaster are common. Death comes to us all.

The Fourth Dimension of Time is a stable construct, though it is not impenetrable.

Incidents when the fabric of the Fourth Dimension becomes corrupted are incredibly rare.

If a Tangent Universe occurs, it will be highly unstable, sustaining itself for no longer than several weeks.

Eventually it will collapse upon itself, forming a black hole within the Primary Universe capable of destroying all existence.

Chapter Two – Water and Metal

Water and Metal are the key elements of Time Travel.

Water is the barrier element for the construction of Time Portals used as gateways between universes at the Tangent Vortex.

Metal is the transitional element for the construction of Artifact Vessels.

Chapter Four – The Artifact and the Living

When a Tangent Universe occurs, those living nearest to the Vortex will find themselves at the epicenter of a dangerous new world.

Artifacts provide the first sign that a Tangent Universe has occurred.

If an Artifact occurs, the Living will retrieve it with great interest and curiosity. Artifacts are formed from metal, such as an Arrowhead from an ancient Mayan civilization, or a Metal Sword from Medieval Europe.

Artifacts returned to the Primary Universe are often linked in religious iconography, as their appearance on Earth seems to defy logical explanation.

Divine Intervention is deemed to be the only logical conclusion for the appearance of the artifact.

Chapter Six – The Living Receiver

The Living Receiver is chosen to guide the Artifact into position for its journey back to the Primary Universe.

No one knows how or why a receiver will be chosen.

The Living Receiver is often blessed with Fourth Dimensional Powers. These include increased strength, telekinesis, mind control, and the ability to conjure fire and water.

The Living Receiver is often tormented by terrifying dreams, visions and auditory hallucinations during his time within the Tangent Universe.

Those surrounding the Living Receiver, known as the Manipulated, will fear him and try to destroy him.

Chapter Seven – The Manipulated Living

The Manipulated Living are often the close friends and neighbors of the Living Receiver.

They are prone to irrational, bazaar, and often violent behavior. This is the unfortunate result of their task, which is to assist the Living Receiver in returning the Artifact to the Primary Universe.

The Manipulated Living will do anything to save themselves from Oblivion.

Chapter Ten – The Manipulated Dead

The Manipulated Dead are more powerful than the Living Receiver. If a person dies within the Tangent Universe, they are able to contact the Living Receiver through the Fourth Dimensional Construct.

The Fourth Dimensional Construct is made of Water.

The Manipulated Dead will manipulate the Living Receiver using the Fourth Dimensional Construct (see Appendix A and B).

The Manipulated Dead will often set an Ensurance Trap for the Living Receiver to ensure that the Artifact is returned safely to the Primary Universe.

If the Ensurance Trap is successful, the Living Receiver is left with no choice but to use his Fourth Dimensional Power to send the Artifact back in time into the Primary Universe before the Black Hole collapses upon itself.

Chapter Twelve – Dreams

When the Manipulated awaken from their Journey into the Tangent Universe, they are often haunted by the experience in their dreams.

Many of them will not remember.

Those who do remember the journey are often overcome with profound remorse for the regretful actions buried within their dreams, the only physical evidence buried within the artifact itself; all that remains from the lost world.

Ancient myth tells us of the Mayan Warrior killed by an arrowhead that had fallen from a cliff, where there was no army, no enemy to be found.

We are told of the Medieval Knight mysteriously impaled by the sword he had not yet built.

We are told that these things occur for a reason.