Flatland: A Romance in Many DimensionsA “romance in many dimensions” that has fascinated generations of readers with its clever blend of social satire and mathematical theory A Penguin Classic A work that continues to pose provocative questions about perception and reality, Flatland is a brilliant parody of Victorian society where all existence is limited to length and breadth—its inhabitants unable even to imagine a third dimension. The amiable narrator, A Square, provides an overview of this fantastic world—its physics and metaphysics, its history, customs and religious beliefs. But when a strange visitor mysteriously appears and transports the incredulous Flatlander to the Land of Three Dimensions, his world view is forever shattered. Written more than a century ago, Flatland conceals within its brilliant parody of Victorian society speculations about the universe that resonate in Einstein’s theory of relativity as well as the current “string-theory” of nature. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. |
Contents
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING | |
Preface to the Second and Revised Edition 1884 by the Editor | |
PART ONETHIS WORLD | |
1 Of the Nature of Flatland | |
2 Of the Climate and Houses in Flatland | |
3 Concerning the Inhabitants of Flatland | |
4 Concerning the Women | |
11 Concerning our Priests | |
12 Of the Doctrine of our Priests | |
PART TWOOTHER WORLDS | |
13 How I had a Vision of Lineland | |
14 How I vainly tried to explain the nature of Flatland | |
15 Concerning a Stranger from Spaceland | |
16 How the Stranger vainly endeavoured to reveal to me in words the mysteries of Spaceland | |
17 How the Sphere having in vain tried words resorted to deeds | |
5 Of our Methods in Recognizing one another | |
6 Of Recognition by Sight | |
7 Concerning Irregular Figures | |
8 Of the Ancient Practice of Painting | |
9 Of the Universal Colour Bill | |
10 Of the Suppression of the Chromatic Sedition | |
18 How I came to Spaceland and what I saw there | |
19 How though the Sphere shewed me other mysteries of Spaceland I still desired more and what came of it | |
20 How the Sphere encouraged me in a Vision | |
21 How I tried to teach the Theory of Three Dimensions to my Grandson and with what success | |
22 How I then tried to diffuse the Theory of Three Dimensions by other means and of the result | |
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Common terms and phrases
angles appear become better Circle Circular classes clear Colour comes consequently continued course creature Cube developed direction distinguish entered equal Equilateral existence experience extremities facts feel Female Figure Flatland followed four Geometry give Grandson half hearing Hexagon higher human hundred inches individual inside Irregular Isosceles kind King land least length less Lineland look Lord mean measure motion moving Nature Northwards object once pass Pentagon perfect person Plane Point Polygon position possible Priests question Readers reason recognize region Regular remained replied result sense sides Sight Recognition single Solid Space Spaceland speak Sphere Square Straight Line STRANGER suppose theory things Third thought Three Dimensions touch Triangle truth understand University Upwards voice whole Wife Woman Women