A time loop is a plot device where periods of time are repeatedly experienced by characters, with the hope of breaking the cycle. Time loops constantly reset when a condition is met, such as a character's death or a clock reaching a certain time, with one or more characters retaining memories from previous loops. Stories with time loops center on characters learning from each successive loop through time to eventually solve the problem and exit the loop.

1. >>>THE TIME LOOP<<<
A time loop or temporal loop is a plot device in which
periodsof time are repeatedand re-experiencedby the
characters,and there is often some hope of breakingout
of the cycle of repetition.

2. Time loop is sometimes used to refer to a causal loop
;althoughthey appearsimilar, causalloops are
unchangingand self-originating,whereas time loops are
constantlyresetting:

3. When a certainconditionis met, such as a deathof a
characteror a clock reaches a certaintime, the loop starts
again, with one or more charactersretainingthe
memories fromthe previous loop.
Stories withtime loops commonlycenter on the character
learningfrom each successiveloop throughtime.

5. The short story"Doubledand Redoubled"by Malcom
Jamesonthat appearedin the February, 1941 issueof
Unknowntells of a personaccidentallycursed to repeat a
"perfect"day, includinga lucky bet, a promotion,a
heroicallyfoiled bank robbery, and a successfulwedding
proposal.

6. This story was a precedent to the films “GroundogDay”
and “12:01 PM”.

8. Jeremy Douglass,JanetMurrayand others comparetime
loops with video games and other interactivemedia, where
a characterin a loop learns about their environment more
and more with each passingloop, and the loop ends with
completemasteryof the character's environment.
Shaila Garcia-Catalánet al. providea similar analysis,
saying that the usual way for the protagonistout of a time
loop is acquiringknowledge, using retainedmemories to
progressand eventuallyexit the loop
The time loop is then a problem-solving process, and the
narrativebecomes akinto an interactivepuzzle.

10. CARLO M. ROSA