I was just reading a scifi story set in 1942 (written in 1994) in which some Chinese peasants get abducted by aliens. When they see the world from space they are amazed by the fact that it is round. Is that an exagiration how ignorant people from that background would be?

by grapp

Razakel

The Han dynasty introduced public education heavily influenced by Confucianism. A more Westernised form was introduced following the 1911 revolution.

They'd be likely to know that the world was round. I'd suspect it's used for dramatic effect.

kaosman

Just curious, what is the name of the book you were reading.