The Use of Geometry in the Modern Novel

Norman J Clarke | published Jun, 1956

added Aug 5, 2024
cover Image
First Date of Publication
Jun, 1956
Original Source
Infinity Science Fiction
Additional Publication Information
Originally published in a fanzine, “Wendigo”, Calgary, Canada
Medium
Short Story
Original Language
English
Kasman Review
ISFDB
Tags
Summary: A funny “triangular” love story between the three vertices X, Y, Z of a triangle.

Story Tag Line: “Oh why, oh why?” she glurped. “Were you calling me, my dear?” dark wealthy Y inquired solicitously as he stepped into the room.


Reviews

  • Vijay Fafat
    Published on

    A slightly humorous short story written as a “how to?” piece, writing a story inside his story.

    The narrator of the story asks if a story can be written to reflect a geometrical theorem. As he puts it:

    “translating this meager framework into a well piece of Literature, replete with those fine old cliches [and glowing prose] which we all know and love, and without which a book would be an empty thing.” [in a manner where] “the fanatic reader can sink his dentures or the sharp fangs of his mind.”

    The narrator chooses the following theorem as a challenge:

    “If one side of a triangle is divided externally into segments which are proportional to the other two sides, the straight line which joins the point of the section to the opposite vertex bisects the angle at the vertex.”

    The narrator then proceeds to outline a purposely-nonsensical story, “ ‘THE TRAGEDY OF X, Y AND Z’ by Corollary Queen”:

    The story reminded me of the mathematician, David Hilbert’s famous quote:

    “One must be able to say at all times—instead of points, straight lines, and planes—tables, chairs, and beer mugs”