This satirical novella describes the fictional two-dimensional world of Flatland to comment on the hierarchy of Victorian culture, but its more enduring contribution is its examination of the nature of dimensions. It narrates about a two- dimensional world occupied by geometric figures, whereof women are simple line-segments, while men are polygons with various numbers of sides. The narrator is a square named A Square, a member of the caste of gentlemen and professionals, who guides the readers through some of the implications of life in two dimensions. The first half of the story goes through the practicalities of existing in a two-dimensional universe. The main points of interest are the Victorian concept of women’s roles in the society and in the class- based hierarchy of men.
Edwin Abbott Abbott was an English schoolmaster and theologian, best known as the author of the novella Flatland. His other literary works include Shakespearian Grammar, Francis Bacon: An Account of His Life and Works, Philochristus, Onesimus, The Kernel and the Husk, Philomythus, The Anglican Career of Cardinal Newman, St Thomas of Canterbury, his Death and Miracles, Johannine Vocabulary, Johannine Grammar and Silanus the Christian.
