Orlando: A biography by Virginia Woolf

Name :parmar Nidhi Shamjibhai

Semester : 2

M. A part 1

Paper :  The Twentieth century Literature: 1900 to world war II

(Paper no 106) 

Guide : shivani ma'am 

 

~Class Assignment :

Q 1) write a summury on orlando- A biography by Virginia Woolf. 

Introduction : 

             Orlando: A Biography is a novel by Virginia Woolf, first published on 11 October 1928,  inspired by the tumultuous family history of the aristocratic poet and novelist Vita Sackville-West, Woolf's lover and close friend. It is arguably one of her most popular novels, a history of English literature in satiric form. The book describes the adventures of a poet who changes sex from man to woman and lives for centuries, meeting the key figures of English literary history. Considered a feminist classic, the book has been written

about extensively by scholars of women's writing and gender and transgender studies.

 

About the Author : 

Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was a major English modernist writer and one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. She is known for her innovative narrative techniques and deep exploration of psychology, time, and consciousness.

📚 Major Works

Mrs Dalloway (1925) – Follows Clarissa Dalloway over the course of a single day in London, exploring memory, trauma, and inner thought.

To the Lighthouse (1927) – A reflection on family, loss, and the passage of time.

Orlando (1928) – A playful, imaginative biography spanning centuries, exploring gender and identity.

A Room of One's Own (1929) – An extended essay arguing that women need financial independence and private space to write fiction.

The Waves (1931) – An experimental novel told through soliloquies of six characters.

✍️ Writing Style

Pioneer of stream of consciousness

Focus on characters’ inner thoughts rather than external action

Non-linear sense of time

Poetic and symbolic language

👩‍🎓 Background

Born in London, England

Member of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of writers, artists, and intellectuals.

Married to Leonard Woolf, with whom she founded the Hogarth Press.

💭 Themes in Her Work

Feminism and women’s independence

Mental health and trauma

The effects of World War I

The passage of time

Identity and gender

 Personal Life & Death

Woolf struggled with severe depression throughout her life. In 1941, during World War II, she died by suicide by drowning in the River Ouse.

Summury :

The first chapter begins by presenting Orlando's physical appearance and by mentioning the fact that he is a young man from a noble family. Orlando hopes that one day he will be able to go on adventures just like his family did. Instead of being an explorer, Orlando is a poet who likes to contemplate nature and spend his time on the hills overlooking London. One day, Queen Elizabeth I comes to visit and she likes Orlando instantly. Two years after they first meet, the Queen makes Orlando her treasurer and steward. Orlando makes the mistake of kissing another girl, and he is caught by the Queen. Orlando also develops a liking for spending his time with ordinary people, but he soon becomes bored of it and decides to return to the court.

He finds out that the Queen has died and that she was replaced by King James I. Orlando thinks about marrying one of the ladies at the court. He decides to marry Euphrosyne, a woman coming from a noble family, just like him. The lawyers from Orlando's side and from Euphrosyne's side start to make legal arrangements, but the procedures stop when the Great Frost begins. It is during that harsh winter Orlando meets Sasha, a Russian princess, for the first time. They fall in love, but Sasha grows tired of Orlando's moods and eventually runs off with another man.

Orlando begins to write extensively: plays, poems and other forms of literature. A few years later, he meets with Nick Green, a famous author whom Orlando admires. Green is described as being awkward, a short man who is out of his element inside Orlando's big house. Orlando is disappointed by Mr. Green; after he finds that Green wrote a satirical story based on him, Orlando decides to stop writing and spend his time trying to find the answers to the big philosophical questions about life.

After a while, he decides to write again but for his own pleasure. He also begins to refurnish his home; after he finishes, he invites his neighbors over to see his house and to hear the poem he finished. One day, he sees a woman from his window and Orlando falls in love with her. Not wanting to be trapped in a relationship where he is only attracted by the woman's physical appearance, Orlando asks the King to send him to Constantinople to be anambassador. From the third chapter, the reader finds that Orlando played an important role in the negotiations between King Charles and the Turks but the records about Orlando's deeds were lost. Orlando is well received by the people in Constantinople and he organizes parties frequently. After one such party, the servants see Orlando letting down a rope and bringing a woman into his room. They later find that he married a dancer named Rosina Pepita, but they are unable to ask him details as he falls into a trance from which he doesn't wake for a few days.

While Orlando is in a trance, a civil war starts and the rebels find Orlando in his bed. Not knowing what to do with him, they steal his clothes and then they leave him be. After the rebels leave, three spirits appear around Orlando: each spirit tries to claim him but is unsuccessful. The spirits leave when they hear a trumpet blast, Orlando wakes up naked in his bed and in a woman's body. Orlando is not scared and accepts the change that happened. Orlando leaves Constantinople with a gypsy on a donkey and then later joins a gypsy tribe. The elder of the gypsy tribe is displeased to see Orlando spending her time reading and contemplating nature, thinking that such actions are useless. One day, Orlando has a vision and sees her home in England destroyed. After that, she decides to return to England and leave the gypsy tribe behind.

Orlando buys female clothes and returns to England. While sailing to England, she slowly becomes accustomed to being a female. While Orlando is happy that she is now free to think about love and nature as long as she wants, she doesn't like the feeling of powerlessness she has when she is in the presence of men. When she arrives home, her servants start to serve her again, but she also finds that some people have started lawsuits against her. Orlando sees Archduchess Harriet again, but she tells Orlando that she is actually a man called Harry and that he only pretended to be a woman so she could get closer to Orlando. Harry asks Orlando to marry him, but Orlando doesn't answer right away. They begin to spend time together, but Orlando soon loses interest in him. Orlando goes to London and the narrator notes the changes

that took place in her and how she changes more and more into a woman. While in London, she meets Harry again and Orlando is annoyed that she can't get away from him. The ladies in London all want to meet Orlando, so she enters the London society. Despite this, she is unhappy and doesn't find fulfillment in her life.

One day, the Countess of R- invites Orlando to one of her parties. Orlando goes, knowing that the Countess organizes parties where the best people are invited. It is there that Orlando meets Pope, and then she starts to spend he time with writers. She soon becomes unhappy because she realizes that men around her don't appreciate her for her intellect. Orlando begins to dr again in men's clothes; then, one night, while she is in the park, she begin talk with a prostitute named Nelly who invites Orlando to go with her. Aft.. Orlando reveals that she is a woman, Nelly and her friends tell her their life stories. From that point on, Orlando begins to switch from woman's clothes to men's clothes, depending on her mood and state. The end of the chapter presents Orlando sitting and watching the clouds over London at the turn of the century.

The fifth chapter begins with a description about London that creates the impression of excess to the point that it becomes suffocating. The action takes place 300 years after Orlando began to write his poem, and the world has changed a lot since then. Orlando goes home, but her home feels cold and empty; there, she meditates on how much she has changed in the last years. She feels like the age in which she lives is too constricting, but she realizes that she must conform to the age, so she decides to marry, Orlando goes and takes a walk; in nature, she finds happiness. She falls down and breaks her ankle when she is near a lake. She is saved by a man named Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine, and they get engaged immediately. They spend a lot of time together, and soon they realize that they are the opposite of what they said they are: Shel is a woman and Orlando was a man, Orlando and Shel spend almost all their time together, but their time comes to an end when the

wind changes and Shel leaves to sail again. They are married in a simple ceremony before Shel takes off.

Alone, Orlando thinks about writing again but doesn't want to submit to the spirit of the age. Despite this, she finishes her poem, The Oak Tree. Orlando goes to London where she meets Nick Green, now a wealthy writer and critic. He reads her poem and promises to publish it while assuring her that the poem will be well received. After that, she goes to the park where she has a vision of her husband's ship sinking. She goes then and sends him a telegram. Orlando returns home and spends a good deal of time doing little there. When the narrator picks up the story again, Orlando has given birth to a son.

The year is now 1928, though Orlando is still in her mid-30s. Orlando is frightened by the present, but she is also amazed by the new inventions of the age. Orlando returns home, she thinks about all her past identities and how the house was always with her. She thrust out of her reverie when she hears an explosion. Orlando runs to the oak tree and plans to bury her book of poetry there, but eventually she decides not to. Orlando knows that her husband will soon come home again and prepares for her husband's arrival. When the clock strikes midnight, it is October 11, 1928.

Home Assignment

Q 2) write a Themes of Orlando by Virginia Woolf. 

Introduction :

                 Orlando: A Biography is a novel by Virginia Woolf, first published on 11 October 1928, inspired by the tumultuous family history of the aristocratic poet and novelist Vita Sackville-West, Woolf's lover and close friend. It is arguably one of her most popular novels, a history of English literature in satiric form. The book describes the adventures of a poet who changes sex from man to woman and lives for centuries, meeting the key figures of English literary history. Considered a feminist classic, the book has been written about extensively by scholars of women's writing and gender and transgender studies.

About the Author :

 

Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) was a major English modernist writer and one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. She is known for her innovative narrative techniques and deep exploration of psychology, time, and consciousness.

📚 Major Works

Mrs Dalloway (1925) – Follows Clarissa Dalloway over the course of a single day in London, exploring memory, trauma, and inner thought.

To the Lighthouse (1927) – A reflection on family, loss, and the passage of time.

Orlando (1928) – A playful, imaginative biography spanning centuries, exploring gender and identity.

A Room of One's Own (1929) – An extended essay arguing that women need financial independence and private space to write fiction.

The Waves (1931) – An experimental novel told through soliloquies of six characters.

✍️ Writing Style

Pioneer of stream of consciousness

Focus on characters’ inner thoughts rather than external action

Non-linear sense of time

Poetic and symbolic language

👩‍🎓 Background

Born in London, England

Member of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of writers, artists, and intellectuals.

Married to Leonard Woolf, with whom she founded the Hogarth Press.

💭 Themes in Her Work

Feminism and women’s independence

Mental health and trauma

The effects of World War I

The passage of time

Identity and gender

 Personal Life & Death

Woolf struggled with severe depression throughout her life. In 1941, during World War II, she died by suicide by drowning in the River. 

Orlando: A Biography – Historical Background 

Written by Virginia Woolf and published in 1928, Orlando reflects the Modernist movement in early 20th-century England, which experimented with time, identity, and narrative style. The novel was influenced by the social changes after World War Iand the growing women’s rights movement, especially the achievement of equal voting rights for British women in 1928.

Woolf was a member of the Bloomsbury Group, which supported artistic freedom and challenged traditional ideas about gender and sexuality. The novel was inspired by her close friend Vita Sackville-West.

Although published in 1928, the story spans from the' Elizabethan age' to the 20th century, showing changes in English society, literature, and gender roles. Through Orlando’s change from man to woman, Woolf criticizes historical inequalities and questions fixed ideas about identity and gender.

Themes:

1. Gender and Identity: One of the central themes in Orlando is the fluidity of gender. The protagonist, Orlando, changes sex from male to female midway through the novel, raising questions about the stability of gender identity and how it is shaped by society rather than biological determinism.

2. Time and History: The novel spans over 300 years, from the Elizabethan era to the 1920s, and Orlando experiences life across different periods. This theme explores how individuals relate to time and how historical, social, and

cultural contexts shape personal identity.

3. The Role of Women in Society: Woolf critiques the limitations placed on

women throughout history. As Orlando transitions from a male aristocrat to a

woman, she encounters different societal expectations, shedding light on how

gender roles are constructed and imposed.

4. Sexuality and Desire: The novel explores sexual fluidity, as Orlando's feelings toward love and desire shift across genders and time periods. Woolf challenges heteronormative ideas about sexuality and presents a more

expansive view of attraction.

5. The Nature of Biographies: The form of the novel itself—written as a biography—question the conventions of autobiography and narrative. Woolf uses this structure to comment on the way histories and lives are constructed, suggesting that identity is not fixed and can be shaped by the storyteller's

perspective.

6. Self-Discovery and Transformation: 

Orlando’s journey is a process of

self-exploration and transformation. Through the character's experiences,

Woolf explores the idea of personal evolution and how one’s identity is

continually redefined by the passage of time, external influences, and internal

growth.

Essay 

Q 3 write a note on character sketch of Orlando. 

Introduction :

Orlando: A Biography is a novel by Virginia Woolf, first published on 11 October 1928, inspired by the tumultuous family history of the aristocratic poet and novelist Vita Sackville-West, Woolf's lover and close friend. It is arguably one of her most popular novels, a history of English literature in satiric form. The book describes the adventures of a poet who changes sex from man to woman and lives for centuries, meeting the key figures of English literary history. Considered a feminist classic, the book has been written

about extensively by scholars of women's writing and gender and transgender studies.

 

About the Author : 

Virginia Woolf was a major female and 

English modernist writer and one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century. She is known for her innovative narrative techniques and deep exploration of psychology, time, and consciousness.

📚 Major Works

Mrs Dalloway (1925) – Follows Clarissa Dalloway over the course of a single day in London, exploring memory, trauma, and inner thought.

To the Lighthouse (1927) – A reflection on family, loss, and the passage of time.

Orlando (1928) – A playful, imaginative biography spanning centuries, exploring gender and identity.

A Room of One's Own (1929) – An extended essay arguing that women need financial independence and private space to write fiction.

The Waves (1931) – An experimental novel told through soliloquies of six characters.

✍️ Writing Style

Pioneer of stream of consciousness

Focus on characters’ inner thoughts rather than external action

Non-linear sense of time

Poetic and symbolic language

👩‍🎓 Background

Born in London, England

Member of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of writers, artists, and intellectuals.

Married to Leonard Woolf, with whom she founded the Hogarth Press.

💭 Themes in Her Work

Feminism and women’s independence

Mental health and trauma

The effects of World War I

The passage of time

Identity and gender

 Personal Life & Death

Woolf struggled with severe depression throughout her life. In 1941, during World War II, she died by suicide by drowning in the River. 

Orlando: A Biography – Historical Background 

Written by Virginia Woolf and published in 1928, Orlando reflects the Modernist movement in early 20th-century England, which experimented with time, identity, and narrative style. The novel was influenced by the social changes after World War Iand the growing women’s rights movement, especially the achievement of equal voting rights for British women in 1928.

Woolf was a member of the Bloomsbury Group, which supported artistic freedom and challenged traditional ideas about gender and sexuality. The novel was inspired by her close friend Vita Sackville-West.

Although published in 1928, the story spans from the' Elizabethan age' to the 20th century, showing changes in English society, literature, and gender roles. Through Orlando’s change from man to woman, Woolf criticizes historical inequalities and questions fixed ideas about identity and gender.

Character sketch of Orlando:

Orlando is the central and only continuous character in Orlando: A Biography by Virginia Woolf. The novel traces Orlando’s life across more than three centuries, from the Elizabethan age to the early 20th century. Uniquely, Orlando changes sex midway through the novel—from male to female—yet remains the same essential person. Through this extraordinary character, Woolf explores themes of gender identity, time, love, creativity, and social change.

1 Orlando as a Young Nobleman.

At the beginning of the novel, Orlando is a handsome, wealthy young nobleman living during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Key Traits:

Romantic and Dreamy – Orlando is deeply imaginative and emotional.

Ambitious Poet – From youth, Orlando longs to achieve literary fame.

Idealistic about Love – Falls passionately in love, especially with the Russian princess Sasha.

Sensitive and Reflective – Prefers solitude and writing over political or social duties.

As a young man, Orlando is somewhat naïve and easily influenced by romantic illusions.

2. Orlando and the Theme of Love

Orlando’s love for Sasha is intense but ends in betrayal. This experience shapes Orlando’s emotional growth.

Learns that love can be deceptive.

Develops emotional depth and maturity.

Becomes more introspective after heartbreak.

Love remains central throughout Orlando’s life, but it evolves from passionate infatuation to a more balanced understanding.

3. Orlando as Ambassador and Transformation

Orlando later becomes an ambassador to Constantinople. During this period, a mysterious transformation occurs: Orlando falls asleep and wakes up as a woman.

This change is presented calmly and naturally. The narrator famously states that Orlando remains the same person—only the sex has changed.

Significance of the Transformation:

Challenges fixed gender identity.

Shows that personality is independent of biological sex.

Highlights social restrictions placed on women. 

4.As a woman a Orlando 

As a woman a Orlando faces new societal limitations:

Social Restrictions:

Cannot own property freely.

Must behave modestly.

Faces expectations of marriage.

Orlando realizes that gender greatly influences social freedom. While Orlando’s inner self remains unchanged, society treats her differently.

New Qualities:

Gains deeper awareness of injustice.

Becomes wiser and more adaptable.

Develops stronger self-understanding.

5. Orlando and Time

One of the most extraordinary aspects of Orlando is longevity. Orlando lives for over 300 years without aging normally.

Symbolic Meaning:

Represents the continuity of the artistic spirit.

Shows how society changes across centuries.

Suggests that identity is fluid but continuous.

Time in the novel is psychological rather than strictly chronological.

6. Orlando as a Writer

Writing is central to Orlando’s identity. Throughout centuries, Orlando works on a long poem titled The Oak Tree.

Writing gives purpose to life.

Represents artistic dedication.

Shows growth from immature ambition to mature artistry.

By the end of the novel, Orlando achieves literary recognition, symbolizing artistic fulfillment.

7. Orlando’s Personality Traits (Summary)

Trait Explanation

Imaginative Deeply creative and poetic

Romantic Passionate in love. Androgynous Combines masculine and feminine qualities

Independent Resists social expectations

Adaptable Survives across centuries and genders .Reflective Thinks deeply about life and identity

8. Orlando as a Symbol

Orlando is not just a character but also:

A symbol of gender fluidity

A representation of artistic freedom

A commentary on social history

A tribute to Vita Sackville-West, Woolf’s close friend and inspiration for the character

Conclusion

Orlando is one of the most unique characters in English literature. Through Orlando’s long life and gender transformation, Virginia Woolf questions traditional ideas about identity, gender roles, time, and authorship.

Orlando remains constant at the core—curious, imaginative, and devoted to art—while the world changes around them. The character ultimately suggests that identity is fluid, creative, and independent of rigid social definitions.