SECTION 22 How I then tried to diffuse the Theory of Three Dimensions by other means, and of the result

In this chapter of “Flatland,” the narrator recounts his failed attempts to enlighten others about the mysteries of the Third Dimension, starting with his Grandson, who mocks the idea. Feeling isolated in his understanding, the narrator decides to write a treatise on the Three Dimensions, using allegory and abstract concepts to evade the law against discussing anything outside of two dimensions. Despite his efforts, his ideas are met with skepticism, and his personal life suffers as he becomes obsessed with his revelations, leading to his reputation as a heretic.

The narrator’s situation worsens when, during a meeting of the local Speculative Society, he impulsively shares his experiences of the Third Dimension, leading to his arrest and trial. He is eventually sentenced to perpetual imprisonment for his beliefs, a fate he accepts with the hope that his writings may inspire future generations to recognize the limitations of their own dimensional perceptions.

As years pass in prison, the narrator’s only visitor is his brother, who, despite witnessing the narrator’s demonstrations of the Third Dimension, remains unconvinced. The narrator laments his inability to convert anyone to his understanding of spatial dimensions, drawing parallels between his plight and that of Prometheus, punished for bringing knowledge to humanity. He holds onto hope that his memoirs might reach and resonate with beings capable of understanding multidimensional spaces, yet also struggles with doubt and the fear that his perceptions and experiences might be mere illusions.

The chapter closes with a revised preface to the second edition, where the editor reflects on the narrator’s mental decline over seven years of imprisonment. The editor addresses criticism that the narrator is anti-feminist and anti-lower class, clarifying that the narrator’s views have evolved and that he now appreciates the qualities and potential of lower-dimensional beings. The preface underscores the theme of perception versus reality and the limitations of human understanding, suggesting a plea for open-mindedness and reform in both Flatland and beyond. The narrator emerges not only as a champion of higher-dimensional awareness but also as a critic of societal and dimensional prejudices, advocating for a more inclusive and enlightened perspective.