Flatland A Romance of Many Dimensions

by Abbott, Edwin A.; Dewdney, A. K.

• ISBN13: 9780451522900
• ISBN10: 0451522907
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1984-06-05
• Publisher: Signet Classics

Summary

Classic of science (and mathematical) fiction charmingly illustrated by the author describes the adventures of A. Square, a resident of Flatland, in Spaceland (three dimensions), Lineland (one dimension) and Pointland (no dimensions).

Author Biography

Edwin A. Abbott (1838-1926), a Victorian of great intellect and wit, enjoyed success not only as a writer, but as a scholar, educator, and theologian. Educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, he was Headmaster of the City of London School from 1865 to 1889. During that time, his progressive belief in the importance of the study of English for every student, even before traditional classic curriculum, led him to write A Shakespearian Grammar (1870), "to help solve most of the difficulties that will present themselves to boys." It ran to three editions within its first year of publication alone and continues to be a touchstone for Shakespearian scholars. In 1884 he wrote Flatland. First considered by many as merely "a pleasant tonic, and an excellent stimulant for boys," it was later recognized as a magnificent work of science fiction, as prophetic as those of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Retiring to a scholarly life in 1889, he produced numerous other works, including Silanus the Christian (1907), Apologia: an explanation and defense (1907), Message of the Son of Man (1909), and Light on the gospel from an ancient poet (Odes of Solomon) (1913).

Table of Contents

Limitations	p. ix
Introduction	p. xv
Preface to the Second and Revised Edition, 1884, by the Editor	p. xix
This World
Of the Nature of Flatland	p. 1
Of the Climate and Houses in Flatland	p. 4
Concerning the Inhabitants of Flatland	p. 7
Concerning the Women	p. 11
Of Our Methods of Recognizing One Another	p. 18
Of Recognition by Sight	p. 24
Concerning Irregular Figures	p. 31
Of the Ancient Practice of Painting	p. 36
Of the Universal Colour Bill	p. 39
Of the Suppression of the Chromatic Sedition	p. 44
Concerning Our Priests	p. 50
Of the Doctrine of Our Priests	p. 53
Other Worlds
How I Had a Vision of Lineland	p. 61
How I Vainly Tried to Explain the Nature of Flatland	p. 67
Concerning a Strange from Spaceland	p. 74
How the Stranger Vainly Endeavoured to Reveal to Me in Words the Mysteries of Spaceland	p. 78
How the Sphere, Having in Vain Tried Words, Resorted to Deeds	p. 89
How I Came to Spaceland, and What I Saw There	p. 92
How, Though the Sphere Shewed Me Other Mysteries of Spaceland, I Still Desired More; and What Came of It	p. 98
How the Sphere Encouraged Me in a Vision	p. 107
How I Tried to Teach the Theory of Three Dimensions to My Grandson, and with What Success	p. 111
How I Then Tried to Diffuse the Theory of Three Dimensions by Other Means, and of the Result	p. 115
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