First published in 1928, Virginia Woolf's Orlando: A Biography is a seminal work that transcends conventional narrative forms to offer a satirical history of English life, gender roles, and literary tradition. The novel intricately intertwines the life of its protagonist, Orlando, who undergoes a sex change from male to female and exists across several centuries, beginning in the Elizabethan era and concluding in 1928, the year symbolizing the achievement of women's suffrage in England. This extraordinary tale, inspired by Woolf's intimate friend and lover Vita Sackville-West delves into themes of androgyny, gender fluidity, and the literary representation of women.
The story unfolds with Orlando as a young nobleman in Elizabeth I's court, entangled in a passionate affair with a Russian princess during the icy spectacle of the Great Frost. As a favorite of the aging queen, Orlando navigates the complexities of love, loss, and literary ambition, only to experience a profound transformation. In Constantinople, where he serves as an ambassador, Orlando falls into a deep sleep and awakens as a woman, retaining his identity and intellect but assuming a new form. This metamorphosis propels Orlando into a journey of self-discovery and adaptation to the shifting societal expectations of women through the 18th and 19th centuries.
Despite the initial turmoil, the now Lady Orlando returns to England, where she oscillates between gender roles and engages with prominent literary figures, reflecting on the evolving role of women in society and literature. Orlando's literary aspirations culminate in the publication of "The Oak Tree," a poem initiated in their youth and perfected over lifetimes. The novel closes with Orlando in 1928, celebrating the newfound rights and potentials for women, symbolized by her husband's dramatic return and the enigmatic flight of a goose overhead.
A pioneering work of literature and feminism, Virginia Woolf's Orlando stands not only as a remarkable story but also as a loving tribute to Vita Sackville-West, weaving her persona through the fabric of centuries. Woolf's innovative approach, blending biography with fantasy and sharp wit with profound insight, established Orlando as a critical and financial success. Over the years, the book has inspired numerous adaptations in film, theater, and opera, underscoring its enduring influence.
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Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf is one of the foremost literary figures of the 20th century. Recognized for her groundbreaking work as a novelist and essayist, her contributions to literature span feminist, modernist, and humanist themes. As a novelist, she was deeply invested in exploring the inner lives of her characters and pioneered the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device. Her notable works of fiction include Mrs. Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927), and Orlando (1928). She is also known for her essays on women's rights and place in literature, including her famous and oft quoted extended essay, A Room of One’s Own (1929).
Born Adeline Virginia Stephen on January 25, 1882, in London, England, Woolf had a complex relationship with her family. As a young girl, she was sexualy molested by her two half-brothers. In 1895, when Woolf was 13, her mother died, suddenly. Two years later, her half-sister Stella passed away, and in 1904, her father died from stomach cancer. Such trauma and tragedies took a significant toll on Woolf's emotional and mental health. Despite her personal challenges, Woolf was a gifted writer and an integral part of London's literary and social circles, becoming a central figure in the Bloomsbury Group. Her marriage to Leonard Woolf in 1912 marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership. Together, they founded the Hogarth Press in 1917, which played a pivotal role in publishing works by T.S. Eliot, E.M. Forster, and Sigmund Freud, among others. Her work was also profoundly influenced by her intimate friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West.
Virginia Woolf struggled with depression and mental illness throughout her life. On March 28, 1941, at the age of 59, she took her own life by drowning in the River Ouse in East Sussex. Her final novel, Between the Acts (1941), was published posthumously. Woolf's legacy endures through her contributions to literature and feminist thought.
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