Flatland: A Romance of Many DimensionsHow would a creature limited to two dimensions be able to grasp the possibility of a third? Edwin A. Abbott's droll and delightful "romance of many dimensions" explores this conundrum in the experiences of his protagonist, A Square, whose linear world is invaded by an emissary Sphere bringing the gospel of the third dimension. Part geometry lesson, part social satire, this classic work of science fiction brilliantly succeeds in enlarging all readers' imaginations beyond the limits of their "respective dimensional prejudices." This new edition begins with an introduction by Rosemary Jann that illuminates the social and intellectual context that produced the work and explains its relationship to the theological issues central to Abbott's career. It also provides the most extensive discussion to date of the class and gender issues raised by the text and of the debates over the limits of scientific and mathematical knowledge in which it participated. Flatland^'s unique combination of astute social, philosophical, and mathematical observations with wit and humor can be read at many different levels, and will prove especially enjoyable to readers of Victorian literature and philosophy. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
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Analogy angles appear Art of Sight Charles Howard Hinton Chief Circle Circular City of London Colour Revolt creature Cube divine edition Edwin Abbott Abbott Equilateral Euclidean Euclidean geometry existence experience feel Female Figure Flatland fourth dimension Geometry Gospel Grandson hearing Hexagon higher dimensions human imagination infer inside intellectual Irregular Isosceles J. S. Mill King Land of Three Lineland London School Lord Lordship lower classes mathematical mathematician means motion moving mysteries nineteenth century Northward once Origin of Species Oxford P. G. Tait Pentagon perfect Plane Pointland Polygon Priests readers reality replied result Romance scientific sense of sight Sight Recognition sion social society Solid Space Spaceland Sphere spiritual Square Square's status Straight Line Stranger terminal Points theory things Third Dimension Three Dimensions three inches tion Tradesman Triangle truth Universal Colour Bill Upward Victorian vision voice Wife Woman Women words