# Flatland

> 1884 novella by Edwin Abbott Abbott

**Wikidata**: [Q728312](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q728312)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flatland

## Summary
*Flatland* is an 1884 novella by Edwin Abbott Abbott, a satirical allegory about life in a two-dimensional world that critiques Victorian society and introduces geometric concepts. It remains a foundational work in science fiction and educational literature.

## Key Facts
- Written by Edwin Abbott Abbott, a British theologian and author (1838–1926).
- Published in 1884, titled *Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions*.
- A literary work classified as a type of work of art and subclass of written work.
- Composed of text and created through the process of writing.
- Distinct from versions, editions, or translations, and different from general fiction.
- Linked to identifiers: psh_id: 6918, yso_id: 1150, ne.se_id: litterärt-verk, kbpedia_id: LiteraryWork, open_library_id: OL32245091W.
- Maintained by WikiProject Books and categorized under "Category: Literary works."
- Associated with the University of Barcelona authority ID: 981060927480506706.
- Part of the Encyclopedia of China (third edition) with ID 223088.
- Connected to the Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging with ID 13535.
- Available in multiple Wikipedia languages: arz, ca, cs, de, en, eo, es, hu, io, pl, pt, ro, ru, sk, sr, uk, ur, vi, zh.
- Structured properties include P50, P407, P136, P921, P373, P214, P8189, P747, P577, P495, P2408, P840, P166, P7937, P1274, P8383, P1085, P10319, P5331, P123, P1922, P3132, P144, P941, P1036, P244, P291, P953, P6216, P648, P674, P7150.
- Aliases include "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions," "A Romance of Many Dimensions," and "Romance of Many Dimensions."
- Inception date: January 1, 1884.
- Instance of: literary work.
- Sitelink count: 34.
- Wikipedia title: Flatland.
- Publication date: January 1, 1884.
- Country of origin: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

## FAQs
**What is *Flatland* about?**
*Flatland* is a satirical novella by Edwin Abbott Abbott that explores the challenges of living in a two-dimensional world, critiquing Victorian society and introducing geometric concepts. It remains a landmark in science fiction and educational literature.

**Who wrote *Flatland*?**
*Flatland* was written by Edwin Abbott Abbott, a British theologian and author known for his contributions to theology, education, and literature.

**What is the significance of *Flatland*?**
*Flatland* is significant as a foundational work in science fiction and educational literature, influencing discussions on perception, society, and geometry. It critiques Victorian society and introduces geometric concepts.

**What awards did Edwin Abbott Abbott receive?**
Abbott was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire and elected a Fellow of the British Academy, recognizing his contributions to theology and education.

**What is the relationship between *Flatland* and literature?**
*Flatland* is a manifestation of literature, representing a specific instance or expression within the broader field of literature. It is classified as a literary work and is part of the "Category: Literary works."

**What are the main characteristics of *Flatland*?**
*Flatland* is composed of text, created through the process of writing, and is a type of work of art. It is distinct from versions, editions, or translations and is different from general fiction.

**What is the role of *Flatland* in education?**
*Flatland* is used in educational contexts to study language, culture, and human expression. It is a key work in the study of geometry and perception, making it valuable for educational purposes.

**What is the relationship between *Flatland* and its various editions or translations?**
*Flatland* is distinct from its editions or translations, which are considered separate items. These versions are linked to the original work through properties like P747 (has edition or translation).

**What is the significance of *Flatland* in digital and cultural archives?**
*Flatland* is cataloged and preserved in digital and cultural archives using specific identifiers and classification systems, ensuring its long-term accessibility and scholarly engagement.

## Why It Matters
*Flatland* is a seminal work in science fiction and educational literature, influencing generations of writers and thinkers. Its geometric and philosophical exploration of dimensionality continues to inspire discussions on perception, society, and education. Abbott's contributions to Anglican theology and educational materials also shaped religious and pedagogical discourse. The novella demonstrates the intersection of literature, mathematics, and social critique, leaving a lasting legacy in multiple fields. As a literary work, *Flatland* is essential to education, research, and cultural identity, offering insight into the human condition across time and geography.

## Notable For
- Being a foundational work in science fiction and geometry.
- Influencing discussions on perception, society, and education.
- Critiquing Victorian society and introducing geometric concepts.
- Being a landmark in educational literature.
- Being maintained by WikiProject Books for structured documentation.
- Being associated with specific identifiers like psh_id, yso_id, and open_library_id for cataloging and reference.
- Being linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID and the Dictionary of Archives Terminology for institutional recognition.
- Being part of the list of literary works and connected to the Encyclopedia of China (third edition) and Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging.
- Being available in multiple Wikipedia languages, reflecting its global cultural significance.

## Body

### Definition and Nature
*Flatland* is a literary work written by Edwin Abbott Abbott in 1884. It is a satirical novella that explores the challenges of living in a two-dimensional world, critiquing Victorian society and introducing geometric concepts. The novella is composed of text and created through the process of writing, making it a distinct type of work of art. It is different from versions, editions, or translations, and is not considered general fiction.

### Classification and Relationships
*Flatland* is a manifestation of literature and is part of the broader field of literature. It is linked to the following identifiers and classifications:
- psh_id: 6918
- yso_id: 1150
- ne.se_id: litterärt-verk
- kbpedia_id: LiteraryWork
- open_library_id: OL32245091W
- google_knowledge_graph_id: /g/1234t710, /g/11c71cnldv
- nl_cr_aut_id: ph122380, ph117225, ph166330
- model_item: literature, comics, prose, diary
- subclass_of: work of art, written work
- instance_of: type of work of art
- has_characteristic: type of literary work
- has_part: text
- fabrication_method: writing
- different_from: version, edition or translation, fiction, written work

### Properties and Identifiers
*Flatland* is associated with a wide range of properties for this type, including:
- P50, P407, P136, P921, P373, P214, P8189, P747, P577, P495, P2408, P840, P166, P7937, P1274, P8383, P1085, P10319, P5331, P123, P1922, P3132, P144, P941, P1036, P244, P291, P953, P6216, P648, P674, P7150

### Cultural and Academic Context
*Flatland* is foundational to the field of literature and is studied and preserved in academic and cultural contexts. It is linked to:
- University of Barcelona authority ID: 981060927480506706
- Dictionary of Archives Terminology ID: literary-works
- Encyclopedia of China (third edition) ID: 223088
- Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging ID: 13535
- Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae ID: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA

### Maintenance and Curation
*Flatland* is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization. It is also part of the "Category: Literary works" and is associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work" for structured representation.

### Distinction from Other Concepts
*Flatland* is distinct from the general term "Werk" and has a separate descriptive page to ensure clarity in classification. It is also different from "version, edition or translation" and "fiction," which are considered separate entities.

### Role in Digital and Cultural Archives
*Flatland* is cataloged and preserved in digital and cultural archives using specific identifiers and classification systems, ensuring its long-term accessibility and scholarly engagement.

### Author: Edwin Abbott Abbott
Edwin Abbott Abbott was a British theologian and author known for his 1884 novella *Flatland*. He was born on December 20, 1838, and studied at St John's College, University of Cambridge, and City of London School. Abbott served as a schoolteacher at City of London School and Clifton College, and was affiliated with St John's College. He was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire and elected a Fellow of the British Academy. Abbott's contributions to Anglican theology and educational materials shaped religious and pedagogical discourse.

### Historical Context
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was a historical sovereign state that existed from 1801 to 1922. It was formed through the Acts of Union 1800, uniting the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland. This union created a single political entity with a shared parliament and government, marking a significant step in the political unification of the British Isles. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was succeeded by the modern United Kingdom on December 6, 1922, following the implementation of the Government of Ireland Act 1920.

### Related Entities
- **Literary Work**: A written creation intended for reading, valued for both enjoyment and edification. It is a type of work of art and a subclass of written work.
- **Science Fiction**: A genre of fiction that explores imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, and futuristic societies.
- **United Kingdom**: An island country in north-west Europe, consisting of the island of Great Britain and the northern part of the island of Ireland. It is a sovereign state and a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government.
- **United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland**: A historical sovereign state that existed from 1801 to 1922, formed through the Acts of Union 1800.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. MusicBrainz
3. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q206101)
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q214883)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [Flatland by Edwin Abbott Abbott | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL118388W/Flatland?edition=key%3A/books/OL25538028M)