FlatlandAs a satire, Flatland offered pointed observations on the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. However, the novella's more enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions; in a foreword to one of the many publications of the novella, noted science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as "The best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions." As such, the novella is still popular amongst mathematics, physics and computer science students. The story is about a two-dimensional world referred to as Flatland. The unnamed narrator, a humble square (the social caste of gentlemen and professionals), guides us through some of the implications of life in two dimensions. The Square has a dream about a visit to a one-dimensional world (Lineland), and attempts to convince the realm's ignorant monarch of a second dimension, but finds that it is essentially impossible to make him see outside of his eternally straight line. |
Contents
Of our Methods of Recognizing one another | |
Of the Suppression of the Chromatic Sedition | |
had a Vision of Lineland | |
How the Stranger vainly endeavoured to reveal to me in words | |
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Common terms and phrases
angles appear become better Bill Circle Circular classes clear Colour comes continued convince course Cube danger developed direction distinguish entered equal Equilateral existence experience extremities feel felt Female Figure Flatland followed four Geometry give Grandson half heard hearing Hexagon higher hundred inches increase individual infer inside Irregular Isosceles King land least length less Lineland look Lord mean motion mouth moving Nature Northward object once pass Pentagon perfect Plane Point Polygon position possible Priests question Readers reason recognize region Regular remained replied result sense sides Sight Recognition Solid sound Space Spaceland speak Sphere Square Straight Line Stranger suppose surely things Third thought Three Dimensions touch Triangle truth understand University Upward voice whole Wife Woman Women