Flatland · Chapter
XXII: How I Then Tried to Diffuse the Theory of Three Dimensions by Other Means, and of the Result explained
After failing to convince his grandson, the Square writes a treatise on Three Dimensions, calling it 'Through Flatland to Thoughtland,' but struggles to convey his ideas due to the limitations of Flatland's linear diagrams.
What happens
After failing to convince his grandson, the Square writes a treatise on Three Dimensions, calling it 'Through Flatland to Thoughtland,' but struggles to convey his ideas due to the limitations of Flatland's linear diagrams. His frustration leads to dangerous public utterances, culminating in a speech at the Local Speculative Society where he reveals his journey with the Sphere. He is arrested, tried, and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment. Seven years later, he remains in prison, with only his brother visiting, who still disbelieves in the Third Dimension. The Square despairs but hopes his memoirs may inspire future rebels.
Themes in this chapter
Knowledge and Ignorance
The Square's futile attempts to share his knowledge of the Third Dimension highlight the conflict between revealed truth and societal ignorance, as well as the personal cost of enlightenment.
Power and Control
The Circles use legal and physical force to suppress the Square's heretical ideas, demonstrating how those in power maintain control by punishing dissent.
The Limits of Imagination
The Square's inability to convincingly depict Three Dimensions in Flatland's linear diagrams, and his brother's persistent disbelief, illustrate the constraints of a two-dimensional perspective on conceiving higher dimensions.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator (A Square)
Writes a treatise on Three Dimensions, gives a public speech revealing his journey, is arrested, tried, and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment. Reflects on his despair and hope.
- The Sphere
Mentioned in the Square's speech and memories; his manifestation in the Council Chamber is recalled.
- The Circles
The highest Circles in the land are the audience for the Square's speech; the President and junior Circles are involved in his trial and sentencing.
- Many of the Highest Circles
The Square's dangerous utterances occur among the highest Polygonal and Circular society; the President orders cheaper guards for the trial.
Key passages
“So I devoted several months in privacy to the composition of a treatise on the mysteries of Three Dimensions. Only, with the view of evading the law, if possible, I spoke not of a physical Dimension, but of a Thoughtland whence, in theory, a Figure could look down upon Flatland and see simultaneously the insides of all things...”
To avoid legal trouble, the Square wrote a book about a theoretical 'Thoughtland' instead of directly describing a physical third dimension, hoping to convey the idea of seeing inside objects.
The Square's cautious approach to spreading his knowledge by framing it as a thought experiment.
“Need I say that I was at once arrested and taken before the Council? Next morning, standing in the very place where but a very few months ago the Sphere had stood in my company, I was allowed to begin and to continue my narration unquestioned and uninterrupted.”
The Square was immediately arrested after his speech and brought before the Council, where he was permitted to tell his story without interruption, standing in the same spot where the Sphere had once appeared.
The irony of being allowed to speak freely in the very place where the truth was first revealed, only to be condemned.
“Prometheus up in Spaceland was bound for bringing down fire for mortals, but I—poor Flatland Prometheus—lie here in prison for bringing down nothing to my countrymen.”
The Square compares himself to Prometheus, who suffered for giving fire to humanity, but laments that he has given nothing useful to his own people and is imprisoned for it.
The Square's self-pitying reflection on his failed mission and the futility of his sacrifice.
