Flatland Sexism
I don't know much about the movie, but I have read the book.
Does anyone think they're going to keep the sexism of the residents of Flatland intact? Or will they just cut it out and focus on the mathematical aspects of the story?
It would seem that with only 1/2 an hour, the focus will be only math-oriented. Same reason why we never discuss Shakespeare's sexuality in English class, just the greatness of his works. There is not enough time to discuss somethinf that arbitrary (i.e. if he was gay, it makes no impact on his work).
So, hopefully we do not let the sexism get in the way of what is really a great math story and intellectually challenging topic. Abbott was more than likely a sexist, so he portrayed that in the book. If he was racist, the lines would be black and the polygons white...see what I mean?
Nonetheless, looking forward to this...should be great.
The sexism in Flatland was supposed to be a satirical view of the Victorian era. You guys are taking this way too seriously.
shareSerious or not, I (as a woman) also feel a little discriminated. Women in Flatland are boring Lines, that can suddenly become lethal, have no intelligence and no memory whatsoever. Too bad for Flatland-Women ;) I read the book, and it's actually kind of cute.. ..the little square being told there's an "up-down" motion, and not understanding a darn thing :P
ah well. When's this movie going to be "in cinemas near you"?
The sexism in the book is probably a product of the sexism of the time. It's also very probably intentional, as the book is a satire of the era, more than an exploration of mathematics.
shareYes. I'm not sure why anyone is angry here... it's very clear irony in the book. It's like someone thinking that Johnathan Swift is a cannibal.
"Shame on you, Maurice! Can you not see that you have insulted the freaks?" - Ali G, Madagascar
Jesus, come on! I read Flatland in the early 50's, and it reflects the attitudes of it's time.
It's bizarre for feminists today to whine about it insulting their sensitivities. The same thing is also visible in movies of the 1930's, 1940's , and 1950's. Doesn't the portrayal of women in those films also insult your femininity?
Try to keep some perspective. It was written over 50 years ago, and attitudes were different then.
"Death is lighter thana feather; duty is heavier than a mountain."
It's not true that Flatland "reflects the attitudes of its time." As others have pointed out, the book satirizes the attitudes of its time (which, by the way, was the 1890s, not the 1950s). Abbott was a progressive social activist who was anti-sexist and anti-classist!
As for another writer's comments, being uncomfortable with his portrayal of women is a statement that you are (appropriately) uncomfortable with the customs of Victorian England. It's not a fair statement about what Abbott wrote, as he was just as uncomfortable -- and much more remarkably so, given the time in which he wrote.
i think hollywood has to stop being so predictable and try making movies without sex in it. i love watching movies but i hate the fact that more than half of the movies out there have sex in it!
shareI just saw the trailer and website for this movie...it seems that they've re-written and changed so much from the book that the sexism issue is not even an issue anymore. In the original story, and almost every other adaptation of it, A. Square's wife was a line, as were all women of Flatland, and his son was a bright-minded hexagon. In this new movie version, Arthur Square's wife is *also* a square, and he has a precocious hexagonal daughter. There IS another movie version of Flatland, set to be released this year as well, called "Flatland: The Film". I have a screener DVD, and altho its production values are somewhat lower than the big-name version, this version stays more true to the original written story.
shareActually, you're confusing the 'film' with the novel. A Square's children were all pentagons. His grandchildren were hexagons, as the 'movie' correctly depicts. Maybe you shouldn't review a screenplay you haven't read. And maybe you should read the movies you watch.
share"Read the movies I watch"?? Hello, I *watch* the movies I watch. Maybe *you* shouldn't comment on posts when you don't know what you're talking about. And maybe you SHOULD try using a bit of civility and manners sometimes, instead of trying to make yourself feel less like the loser you are, by responding with snotty, condescending comments.
shareWell, my friend, you make up for your lack of Flatland knowledge with your enthusiasm for asterisks.
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