The Portrayal and Analysis of Social Viewpoints - Essay Example

?Introduction The portrayal and analysis of social viewpoints is one of the aspects that are defined in various pieces of literature. When looking atEdwin Abbott’s portrayals through “Flatland,” it can be seen that there are specific areas of noticed recognition in terms of society at the time. The work is able to recognize the social status that is a part of the Victorian era. Abbott also points out the mentality of those in current society. The theme which Abbott shows is based on how a society doesn’t allow itself to comprehend other ideals or realities, making them limited by possibilities. The mindset which is accepted, even though it creates a sense of status in society, is still flat and unable to develop into new ideas. The point which Abbott makes shows how this mentality holds back information about potential ways of living, innovations and the overall progression of the society, specifically because of social status and rejection of new ideas. Background of the Work The background of “Flatland” is based on the specific social and religious conditions that were associated with the Victorian society during the time of Abbott. Abbott wrote and premiered his novel in the 1880s in England, specifically with the focus of approaching the trends in literature that were based on questioning the social status and divisions that were currently in society. The book arose not only from the observations in society, but also associated with the personal interactions which Abbott had before this time. In the 1840s, Abbott was known to defend Christianity against ideals such as superstition and irrational expectations that were a part of the religion. Abbott believed instead, that all information was based on logic and personal experience. This was followed with the experiences that Abbott associated with not only in religion, but also in defense of women, social rights and divisions between the rich and poor which were a strong component of Victorian society (Zeller, 95). Defining the Mentality of Society The aspects that Abbott included with his defenses against religion, logic and the imperialism of society are reflected in “Flatland,” not only with the direct connotations to problems in society. Abbott directly refers to the generalized problems to the acceptance of ideas that were limited to a dimension and which led to ignorance within society. Abbott shows this through two main ideals. The first is with the interaction of line land, specifically as he moves into a one-dimensional world. The second is the recognition of the other dimensions that are associated beyond flatland, specifically which the narrator sees but is rejected by society. These two main narrative ideas show how the social standpoint is limited by ignorance and what is seen physically and known. Even though there may be other outside ideals, Abbott shows through his narrative that the mentality of society is limited to only what they see. There are several examples that Abbott uses to show the ignorance of society and how this limits possibilities. This is done with the social status of those in society, speaking with religious leaders and with presenting the ideas to royalty. For instance, when trying to describe Flatland to Lineland, there is an immediate rejection of what is real. The king rejects this because of the known laws, accepted religion and the practices in society that are accepted. This is followed by the limitations because there hasn’t been an experience with this dimension. Even though the narrator sees the life in Lineland as dull, there isn’t the capability of understanding what it would be like to live outside of this from those who exist in that reality. The lines then become a metaphor for the reality, religion, rules and belief systems that limit the ideals. “King: Exhibit to me, if you please, this motion from left to right. I: Nay, that I cannot do, unless you step out of your Line altogether. King: Out of my line? Do you mean out of the world? Out of Space? I: Well, yes. Out of YOUR world. Of of YOUR space. For your space is not the true Space. True Space is Plane; but your Space is only Line” (Abbott, 123). From this excerpt, it can be seen that stepping out of a specific reality is required to experience a new ideal and reality. However, the society immediately rejects this and believes it is not possible, showing that each man is limited by the regulations, religion and philosophies which they choose to believe in. The concept of mental understanding and capacity, as well as experience, is not only seen from the noted ignorance of the king and society of Lineland. The narrator shows a similar experience when he goes from Flatland and into the third and fourth dimensions in the book. After this occurs, the narrator immediately moves into the ignorance of society in creating new beliefs, specifically which are limited by the rules and regulations politically and religiously in society. This doesn’t provide room for innovation and is shown that it keeps those in Flatland in the same ignorance. For instance, when the narrator is about to reveal the idea of the third and fourth dimensions, he states “Just as I had decided on the plan of my operations, I heard the sound of many voices in the street commanding silence. Then followed a louder voice. It was a herald’s proclamation. Listening attentively, I recognized the words of the Resolution of the Council, enjoining the arrest, imprisonment, or execution of anyone who should pervert the minds of the people by delusions, and by professing to have received revelations from another World” (Abbott, 187). This specific passage is important in defining the mentality of those who live in the world the narrator is from. It shows that the ignorance and mentality of the people in the world is not solely based on the choice to remain ignorant, such as seen from the experiences in Lineland. Instead, the opposition from the rulers and those with a higher social status continue to keep the mind of the people in a state of ignorance. The social status which grows from this, as well as the boundary which is drawn between knowledge and ignorance, creates the contention of those in society. This passage shows how the mentality of society is set by those who have a higher sense of power through politics, religion or social status in a given world. The concept of the limited mentality and ignorance of those in Flatland is combined with the idea of being trapped in a plane. Those that are living in Lineland or in Flatland have the belief that they can only stay in that dimension. The ideal isn’t based on the overall fantasy which is created, but is instead based on the understanding that society has created a mentality of not being able to expand or move forward in society. The dimensions, or innovations, experiences and ideas, are then limited according to the expectations that are in society. The complexities which occur and the resolution which happens shows that society is responsible for their own innovations and ability to move forward within the Flatland, specifically to discover new ideas. It is also pointed out that the hierarchical structure and beliefs in the worlds are the only limitations that create ignorance among those in society. Theories of Flatland The concepts introduced in “Flatland” are not only displayed through the book but also have been rationalized through other theorists who are interested in the ideas of Abbott. The problem which is looked into by the author moves into several areas where there are limitations between the mentality of the people and the conflicts which arise in determining the progression of humanity. One conflict is between the progression of science and the belief in religion. The beliefs, laws, traditions and rituals are the main component that is noted among those in each society. It is the same beliefs and laws that stop those from society from progressing and understanding the possibilities of science. While the narrator tries to show a sense of scientific progression through experience, those in society remain in a state of mental ignorance, specifically because of the religious and political beliefs which remain constant in each of the worlds (Jann, 473). It is the limitation of possibility between science and religion that is further expanded into the link to society and how the accepted rules overcome the possibility. “Flatland” works by creating an understanding that the social hierarchy and status in society. This is not only specific to the Victorian era, but also to the status seen in other regions, such as America. The intellectual ideologies, expectations from philosophies and the dependence on ideas instead of experience are some of the ways that limits are created. Abbott is able to show how the dependence on the intellectual is the main way in which the perception of science and possibilities are limited. The intellectual, at the same time, was what built the hierarchy in the Victorian Age. The irony that Abbott shows through this is that the intellectual which built the stigmas in society, also limited the true thought processes which could occur through discovery, reason and the experiences which were not seen at the time. The idea of social status throughout the book then becomes another limitation in the mentality of those belonging to a specific society (Berkove, 266). Conclusion The themes that are used through Abbott’s story of “Flatland” are able to define the several problems that arise in society, including the intellect of social status, false beliefs from religion and philosophy and the inability to accept the true nature of experience and science. Each of these themes have one ideal in common, specifically which is based on the mentality of those that live in Lineland and Flatland. Abbott discovers how the mentality is related to the ignorance of those living in a specific land, specifically which is set by the accepted principles in each region. Abbott shows how each land creates a sense of truth through belief while creating ignorance by believing that other ideas are impossible. By showing these limitations within society, Abbott also provides insight into how the mentality of society is one which is based in ideals of ignorance and creates the inability to expand into new innovations and experiences within the world created. Works Cited Abbott, Edwin. Flatland. Bibliolis Books: New York, 2010. Berkove, LI. “A Paradoxical American Appropriation of Flatland.” Extrapolation 41 (3), 2000. Jann, Rosemary. “Introduction to Flatland.” Victorian Studies 28 (3), 1985. Zeller, Suzanne. “Scientist of Empire: Scientific Exploration and Victorian Imperialism.” Victorian Studies 36 (1), 1992. Read More