Flatland · Chapter
XXI: How I Tried to Teach the Theory of Three Dimensions to My Grandson, and with What Success explained
The Square awakens with a fervent desire to spread the gospel of Three Dimensions throughout Flatland, but after hearing a proclamation from the Council threatening arrest for such heresy, he decides to proceed cautiously by demonstration r
What happens
The Square awakens with a fervent desire to spread the gospel of Three Dimensions throughout Flatland, but after hearing a proclamation from the Council threatening arrest for such heresy, he decides to proceed cautiously by demonstration rather than revelation. He first pacifies his wife's curiosity with a fabricated account, then attempts to teach his young grandson. However, when the boy hears the Council's proclamation, he recants his earlier interest in the Third Dimension, mocking the concept of 'Upward, not Northward.' The Square's clumsy demonstration fails, and his grandson flees the room, ending the first attempt at conversion.
Themes in this chapter
Knowledge and Ignorance
The Square's attempt to teach the Third Dimension is thwarted by the Council's proclamation and his grandson's fear, highlighting how ignorance is enforced by authority.
Conformity and Deviance
The Square's heretical ideas about Three Dimensions are suppressed by the threat of punishment, and even his grandson quickly conforms to societal norms to avoid danger.
The Limits of Imagination
The Square struggles to articulate the concept of 'Upward, not Northward,' and his grandson finds it absurd, illustrating the difficulty of imagining dimensions beyond one's experience.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator (A Square)
The Square awakens rejoicing and plans to evangelize Flatland, but after hearing the Council's proclamation, he decides to teach his grandson instead. He fails to convincingly demonstrate the Third Dimension.
- The Circles
The Circles issue a proclamation through heralds, threatening arrest, imprisonment, or execution for anyone spreading delusions about another world.
- The Sphere
The Sphere is mentioned as having approved the grandson's earlier remarks on the meaning of 3, and his visit is referenced in the Square's account to his wife.
Key passages
“I would go forth, methought, at once, and evangelize the whole of Flatland. Even to women and soldiers should the Gospel of Three Dimensions be proclaimed.”
The Square resolves to spread the doctrine of Three Dimensions to all of Flatland, including women and soldiers.
Shows the Square's initial zeal and ambition to convert everyone.
“I reflected. This danger was not to be trifled with. It would be better to avoid it by omitting all mention of my Revelation, and by proceeding on the path of Demonstration.”
After hearing the Council's proclamation, the Square decides to avoid mentioning his revelation and instead rely on logical proof.
Highlights the Square's caution and shift in strategy due to fear of punishment.
“But somehow it did not seem to me quite so obvious now.”
The Square finds the proof of the Third Dimension less clear than it seemed in his dream.
Reflects the fading clarity of his vision and the difficulty of articulating it.
“Dear Grandpapa, that was only my fun, and of course I meant nothing at all by it; and we did not know anything then about the new law; and I don't think I said anything about the Third Dimension.”
The grandson, fearing the new law, denies his earlier interest in the Third Dimension and claims it was just a joke.
Demonstrates the chilling effect of the Council's proclamation on free thought.
“Here I brought my sentence to an inane conclusion, shaking the Square about in a purposeless manner, much to the amusement of my grandson, who burst out laughing louder than ever.”
The Square's attempt to demonstrate 'Upward, not Northward' fails, and his grandson laughs at the absurdity.
Illustrates the Square's inability to convey the concept and the grandson's mockery.
