FLATLAND Essay
Math II AC
Name __________________________
Write a 2-3 page essay (typed, double spaced) on one of the following. It is due ________.
1. Consider this statement, "Abbott's purpose was to instruct by amusement."
Select three situations from the novel which are particularly amusing and explain what
Abbott was attempting to instruct his reader about (i.e. logic, social norms, values, etc.)
through the entertainment. Use direct textual evidence to support your argument.
2. Consider the copy of the painting on the back,
A. Describe the painting in detail. What ideas or emotions does it impart?
B. Select a passage from the novel and explain how the painting and the scene are related.
Use specific quotes from the novel.
3. Consider the concept of parallel.
A. Explain the definition, theorems and ideas related to parallelism.
B. How does Einstein refer to parallel lines?
C. Relate three scenes of the novel to these ideas. How does the scene illustrate parallelism?
Does it lack any important material? Does it use the information incorrectly? Explain.
4. Consider urban legends and their treatment in Dick Case's column, at www.snopes.com
and FLATLAND.
A. What are the characteristics of an urban legend?
B. Create a new urban legend which would be appropriate for FLATLAND. OR
C. Create a new urban legend for SPHERELAND and incorporate some type of
mathematical principle into your legend.
5. Write a short play or short story that:
A. Gives a more detailed explanation of an event in the book, OR
B. Is set some time after the last chapter, but still in SQUARE'S lifetime.
Be sure to include an introduction that describes the background of the people (character
sketches), events leading up to this point, set descriptions (if it is a play) and setting.
6. Consider the geometrical inhabitants of FLATLAND.
A. Create a dance routine for some selected figures. What figures would you select? Why?
B. Explain how the routine would look from the point of view of a fellow FLATLANDER.
C. Explain how the routine would look from an observer in SPHERELAND.
7. Consider how the inhabitants of FLATLAND lived.
A. Explain the mathematics of the Art of Sight Recognition.
B. Create the world of FLATLAND. Include people (the inhabitants), places (cities,
landmarks, nature, etc.) and things (homes, schools, fences, etc.). Make the shapes the
appropriate size (to scale, if necessary) as referenced in the book.
C. Explain the mathematical nature of the scene.