# The Narrator (A Square) — Flatland character guide > The Narrator (A Square) in Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Unknown, me, O, mine, himself, yourself **First appearance:** 0002-flatland ## Snapshot A respectable Square whose orderly two-dimensional life unravels when a voice from nowhere challenges everything he thought he knew about space. ## Who they are He is a middle-class mathematician and householder in Flatland, proud of his rank and fluent in its geometry, who narrates his own memoir with the confidence of a man who believes he has seen everything worth seeing. That confidence is his flaw: when a visitor begins demonstrating impossible motions, the Square resists, argues, and finally reasons his way toward a truth his whole society is built to deny. His willingness to be convinced, and the cost of that conviction, drive the book's central arc. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/dedication) The humble native of Flatland who dedicates the work, having been initiated into the mysteries of three dimensions. ### [Preface to the Second and Revised Edition, 1884](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/preface-to-the-second-and-revised-edition-1884) The Square, now aged and imprisoned, defends his work through the Editor, admitting his own changed views on women and the Isosceles. ### [Flatland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/flatland) The narrator and protagonist, a Square who describes the nature and customs of Flatland. ### [Part I: This World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/part-i-this-world) The narrator introduces himself and his world, explaining the geometry and social order of Flatland. ### [I: Of the Nature of Flatland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/i-of-the-nature-of-flatland) The narrator introduces Flatland and reflects on his past ignorance and current enlightenment after visiting Spaceland. ### [Of the Climate and Houses in Flatland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/ii-of-the-climate-and-houses-in-flatland) Describes the climate, houses, and his solitary knowledge of the true nature of light. ### [III: Concerning the Inhabitants of Flatland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/iii-concerning-the-inhabitants-of-flatland) The narrator describes his own class as a Square and explains the entire social hierarchy of Flatland. ### [Concerning the Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/iv-concerning-the-women) Provides a detailed account of the dangers posed by women, the legal code governing them, and the social customs that ensure male safety. ### [V: Of Our Methods of Recognizing One Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/v-of-our-methods-of-recognizing-one-another) The narrator describes the methods of recognition and recounts a family story about an Isosceles ancestor. ### [VI: Of Recognition by Sight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/vi-of-recognition-by-sight) The narrator explains the principles of Sight Recognition, using examples involving his father and grandsons, and reflects on his own experiences as a mathematician and grandfather. ### [VII: Concerning Irregular Figures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/vii-concerning-irregular-figures) The Square presents his views on Irregularity, defending the penal laws while advocating a via media. ### [Of the Ancient Practice of Painting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/viii-of-the-ancient-practice-of-painting) The narrator describes the historical practice of painting and its aesthetic impact on Flatland. ### [IX: Of the Universal Colour Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/ix-of-the-universal-colour-bill) The narrator describes the dangers and political machinations behind the Universal Colour Bill, reflecting on its impact on society. ### [X: Of the Suppression of the Chromatic Sedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/x-of-the-suppression-of-the-chromatic-sedition) The narrator recounts the suppression of the Chromatic Sedition, noting he has not been privileged to attend the esoteric classes where colour is still used. ### [Concerning Our Priests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xi-concerning-our-priests) The narrator reflects on the nature of Flatland's Priests and the social dynamics of Circular propagation, setting the stage for his central story. ### [XII: Of the Doctrine of Our Priests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xii-of-the-doctrine-of-our-priests) The Square recounts and critiques the doctrine of the Circles, reflecting on its practical drawbacks and his own experiences with his grandson. ### [Part II: Other Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/part-ii-other-worlds) The protagonist who encounters the Sphere and is taken on a journey to other dimensions. ### [XIII: How I Had a Vision of Lineland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xiii-how-i-had-a-vision-of-lineland) Dreams of Lineland and interacts with its King, attempting to understand the one-dimensional world. ### [XIV: How I Vainly Tried to Explain the Nature of Flatland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xiv-how-i-vainly-tried-to-explain-the-nature-of-flatland) Attempts to explain Flatland to the Monarch of Lineland, demonstrating his ability to see beyond the line by moving out of Lineland and describing the King's subjects. ### [XV: Concerning a Stranger from Spaceland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xv-concerning-a-stranger-from-spaceland) Sits with his wife on the last night of the millennium, musing on his grandson's question about 3³; dismisses the boy's idea, then is confronted by the Stranger. ### [How the Stranger Vainly Endeavoured to Reveal to Me in Words the Mysteries of Spaceland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xvi-how-the-stranger-vainly-endeavoured-to-reveal-to-me-in-words-the-mysteries-of-spaceland) The Square struggles to understand the Sphere's explanations and becomes increasingly frustrated, eventually attacking the Stranger. ### [How the Sphere, Having in Vain Tried Words, Resorted to Deeds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xvii-how-the-sphere-having-in-vain-tried-words-resorted-to-deeds) The Square stubbornly refuses the Sphere's teachings, attacks him physically, and is ultimately lifted into Spaceland against his will. ### [How I Came to Spaceland, and What I Saw There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xviii-how-i-came-to-spaceland-and-what-i-saw-there) The Square is taken to Spaceland, experiences three-dimensional sight, and witnesses the Council's suppression of the truth. ### [XIX: How, Though the Sphere Showed Me Other Mysteries of Spaceland, I Still Desired More; and What Came of It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xix-how-though-the-sphere-showed-me-other-mysteries-of-spaceland-i-still-desired-more-and-what-came-of-it) The Square, now able to perceive solids, becomes obsessed with the idea of a Fourth Dimension and argues with the Sphere, leading to his forcible return to Flatland. ### [How the Sphere Encouraged Me in a Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xx-how-the-sphere-encouraged-me-in-a-vision) The Square dreams of the Sphere, visits Pointland, and is encouraged to aspire and teach. ### [XXI: How I Tried to Teach the Theory of Three Dimensions to My Grandson, and with What Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xxi-how-i-tried-to-teach-the-theory-of-three-dimensions-to-my-grandson-and-with-what-success) 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. ### [XXII: How I Then Tried to Diffuse the Theory of Three Dimensions by Other Means, and of the Result](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/xxii-how-i-then-tried-to-diffuse-the-theory-of-three-dimensions-by-other-means-and-of-the-result) 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. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/endnotes) Provides commentary and clarification on the author's behalf. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) The narrator's viewpoint is referenced in the diagram 'My view of Lineland'. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/characters/the_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/flatland_se/characters