Dedication explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• The Limits of Imagination

  The dedication explicitly hopes for the enlargement of the imagination, suggesting that even those in higher dimensions can aspire to understand more.

• Knowledge and Ignorance

  The narrator's initiation into three dimensions represents a transition from ignorance to knowledge, and he hopes others will similarly advance.

Characters to notice

• The Narrator (A Square)

  The humble native of Flatland who dedicates the work, having been initiated into the mysteries of three dimensions.

Key passages

• “To The Inhabitants of space in general And H. C. in particular This Work is Dedicated By a Humble Native of Flatland In the Hope that Even as he was Initiated into the Mysteries Of three Dimensions Having been previously conversant With only two So the Citizens of that Celestial Region May aspire yet higher and higher To the Secrets of four five or even six Dimensions”

  This book is dedicated to all beings of space, especially H. C., by a modest resident of Flatland, hoping that just as he learned about three dimensions after knowing only two, the people of that heavenly realm may strive to understand even more dimensions like four, five, or six.

  The narrator expresses his wish for continuous intellectual and imaginative growth.

• “Thereby contributing To the Enlargement of the imagination And the possible Development Of that most rare and excellent Gift of modesty Among the Superior Races Of solid humanity”

  This will help expand the imagination and possibly develop the rare and wonderful quality of modesty among the advanced beings of solid humanity.

  The dedication links the pursuit of higher knowledge with the cultivation of humility.