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Symbols
Light and shade, as well as dimness/darkness and brightness, are constantly referred to in Flatland as the ways in which the third dimension creates perspective. Throughout his description of Flatland, A Square repeatedly expresses that his readers from Spaceland have been blessed with the gift of perceiving light and shade. As such, the two represent the knowledge that Spaceland inhabitants have of the third dimension. In the same way that light and shade allow for visual perception of the third dimension, so too does knowledge broaden one’s perspective to understand higher Truths. Yet this particular symbol also speaks to the dual nature of knowledge, which can be either enlightening and approaching Truth (light) or exploited by those in power to suppress rebellion (shade).
Light and Shade Quotes in Flatland
The Flatland quotes below all refer to the symbol of Light and Shade. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 18
Quotes
“Either this is madness or it is Hell.” “It is neither, calmly replied the voice of the Sphere, “it is Knowledge; it is Three Dimensions: open your eye once again and try to look steadily.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Flatland LitChart as a printable PDF.
Light and Shade Symbol Timeline in Flatland
The timeline below shows where the symbol Light and Shade appears in Flatland. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Flatland houses do not have windows because light shines on Flatland equally day and night. From the topic of light, A Square makes...
(full context)
Chapter 5
Unlike those who are fortunate enough to perceive light and shade in Spaceland, Flatlanders must take other measures to recognize each other’s configurations. A...
(full context)
Chapter 6
...classes and depends on the naturally abundant fog in Flatland. By comparing relative dimness and brightness of the sides of another, Flatlanders can infer the configurations of each other.
(full context)
Chapter 16
...reasoning, then, the Wife must also have a “height.” But A Square confuses “height” with “brightness” and does not grasp the Stranger’s meaning.
(full context)
Chapter 18
The terrified A Square first perceives darkness and is initially confused at seeing everything in three dimensions. The Sphere calms him by...
(full context)
Chapter 19
...Irregular figure to him. The Sphere explains that A Square is not used to seeing light and shade and perspective, so he introduces A Square to the cube, a living being....
(full context)
