Publisher:
Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ
In 1884, Edwin Abbott Abbott wrote a mathematical adventure set in a two-dimensional plane world, populated by a hierarchical society of regular geometrical figures-who think and speak and have all too human emotions. Since then Flatland has...
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In 1884, Edwin Abbott Abbott wrote a mathematical adventure set in a two-dimensional plane world, populated by a hierarchical society of regular geometrical figures-who think and speak and have all too human emotions. Since then Flatland has fascinated generations of readers, becoming a perennial science-fiction favorite. By imagining the contact of beings from different dimensions, the author fully exploited the power of the analogy between the limitations of humans and those of his two-dimensional characters. A first-rate fictional guide to the concept of multiple dimensions of space, th 13 How I had a Vision of Lineland14 How in my Vision I endeavoured to explain the nature of Flatland, but could not; 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; 18 How I came to Spaceland and what I saw there; 19 How, though the Sphere showed me other mysteries of Spaceland, I still desired more; and what came of it; 20 How the Sphere encouraged me in a Vision Cover; Title; Copyright; Dedication; CONTENTS; PREFACE TO THE SECOND AND REVISED EDITION; INTRODUCTION; Part I This 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 ; 5 Of our Methods of 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; 11 Concerning our Priests; 12 Of the Doctrine of our Priests ; Part II Other Worlds
