According to Mr. Square, life in Flatland moves about on a two-dimensional plane, something like geometric figures free to slide about upon a flat surface. Women, shaped like needles, occupy the lowest place in society. In Flatland women are dangerous, unpredictable, and stupid. Their constant and annoying chatter serves as a warning to the men who had better get out of their way. Triangles, with the fewest sides of all the polygons, comprise the lowest class of males.
Triangles are limited to positions as soldiers and laborers.
As triangles approach equilateral status, their position in society rises. Squares, like our narrator, are respectably middle class. The aristocracy is comprised of pentagons, hexagons, and above. Attending to your configuration means accepting things as they appear to be. Attending to your configuration means staying in your place, not asking questions, nor daring to dream that things can be different.