Orlando: A Biography
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| '''''Orlando: A Biography''''' is an influential novel by [[Virginia Woolf]], first published on [[11 October]] [[1928]]. A semi-biographical novel based in part on the life of Woolf's intimate friend [[Vita Sackville-West]], it is generally considered one of Woolf's most accessible novels. The novel has been influential stylistically, and is considered important in [[literature]] generally, and particularly in the history of [[women's writing]] and [[gender studies]]. A notable film adaptation was released in 1992, starring [[Tilda Swinton]] as Orlando and [[Quentin Crisp]] as [[Queen Elizabeth I]] (see ''[[Orlando (film)|Orlando]]''). A limited edition of ''Orlando'' was published in 2005 by [[Arion Press]]. | '''''Orlando: A Biography''''' is an influential novel by [[Virginia Woolf]], first published on [[11 October]] [[1928]]. A semi-biographical novel based in part on the life of Woolf's intimate friend [[Vita Sackville-West]], it is generally considered one of Woolf's most accessible novels. The novel has been influential stylistically, and is considered important in [[literature]] generally, and particularly in the history of [[women's writing]] and [[gender studies]]. A notable film adaptation was released in 1992, starring [[Tilda Swinton]] as Orlando and [[Quentin Crisp]] as [[Queen Elizabeth I]] (see ''[[Orlando (film)|Orlando]]''). A limited edition of ''Orlando'' was published in 2005 by [[Arion Press]]. | ||
| + | ==Plot== | ||
| + | ''Orlando'' tells the story of an individual named Orlando, born as a biological male in England during the reign of [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]]. Orlando lives for more than 300 years and, at around 30 years of age, mysteriously changes biological sex to female. | ||
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| + | As a teenager, the male Orlando is briefly a lover to the elderly queen. After her death he has a brief, intense love affair with Sasha, an androgynous princess in the entourage of the Russian embassy. This episode, of love and excitement against the background of the [[Frost Fair]] held on the frozen [[Thames River]] during the [[Great Frost of 1608]], is one of the best known of the novel. It is said to represent Vita Sackville-West's affair with [[Violet Trefusis]]. | ||
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| + | Following Sasha's sudden departure and return to Russia, the desolate Orlando returns to writing ''The Oak Tree,'' a long poem started and abandoned in his youth. He meets with a famous poet, Nicholas Greene, whom he joyfully entertains, but who criticises Orlando's writing. Later Orlando feels betrayed when he learns that he is the foolishly depicted subject of one of Greene's subsequent works. A period of contemplating love and life leads Orlando to appreciate the value of his ancestral stately home, which he proceeds to furnish lavishly. There he plays host to the populace. | ||
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| + | [[wikt:ennui|Ennui]] sets in and the harassment of a persistent suitor, the Archduchess Harriet, leads to Orlando's fleeing the country when appointed by [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] as ambassador to [[Constantinople]]. Orlando performs his duties well, until a night of civil unrest and murderous riots. He falls asleep for a period of days, resistant to all efforts to rouse him. Upon awakening he finds that he has metamorphosed into a woman – the same person, with the same personality and intellect, but in a woman's body. Although the narrator of the novel is disturbed and befuddled by Orlando's sex change, Orlando herself is complacent. From here on out, Orlando's gender changes frequently although she stays biologically female. | ||
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| + | The now ''Lady'' Orlando covertly escapes Constantinople in the company of a [[Romani people|Gypsy]] clan. She adopts their way of life until its essential conflict with her upbringing leads her to head home. Only on the ship back to England, with her constraining female clothes and an incident in which a flash of her ankle nearly results in a sailor's falling to his death, does she realise the magnitude of becoming a woman. She concludes it has an overall advantage, declaring "Praise God I'm a woman!" Back in England, Orlando is hounded again by the archduchess, who reveals herself to be a man, the Archduke Harry. Orlando evades his marriage proposals. She goes on to live switching between gender roles, dressing alternately as both man and woman. | ||
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| + | Orlando soon becomes caught up in the life of the 18th and 19th centuries, holding court with the great poets (notably [[Alexander Pope]]). Nick Greene reappears, apparently also timeless, and promotes Orlando's writing, promising to help her publish ''The Oak Tree''. | ||
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| + | Orlando wins a lawsuit over her property and marries a sea captain, Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine. Shelmerdine, like Orlando, is gender non-conforming, and Orlando credits this similarity with the success of their marriage. In 1928, she publishes ''The Oak Tree,'' centuries after starting it, and wins a prize. As her husband's ship returns in the aftermath of her success, she rushes to greet him. | ||
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Orlando: A Biography is an influential novel by Virginia Woolf, first published on 11 October 1928. A semi-biographical novel based in part on the life of Woolf's intimate friend Vita Sackville-West, it is generally considered one of Woolf's most accessible novels. The novel has been influential stylistically, and is considered important in literature generally, and particularly in the history of women's writing and gender studies. A notable film adaptation was released in 1992, starring Tilda Swinton as Orlando and Quentin Crisp as Queen Elizabeth I (see Orlando). A limited edition of Orlando was published in 2005 by Arion Press.
Plot
Orlando tells the story of an individual named Orlando, born as a biological male in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. Orlando lives for more than 300 years and, at around 30 years of age, mysteriously changes biological sex to female.
As a teenager, the male Orlando is briefly a lover to the elderly queen. After her death he has a brief, intense love affair with Sasha, an androgynous princess in the entourage of the Russian embassy. This episode, of love and excitement against the background of the Frost Fair held on the frozen Thames River during the Great Frost of 1608, is one of the best known of the novel. It is said to represent Vita Sackville-West's affair with Violet Trefusis.
Following Sasha's sudden departure and return to Russia, the desolate Orlando returns to writing The Oak Tree, a long poem started and abandoned in his youth. He meets with a famous poet, Nicholas Greene, whom he joyfully entertains, but who criticises Orlando's writing. Later Orlando feels betrayed when he learns that he is the foolishly depicted subject of one of Greene's subsequent works. A period of contemplating love and life leads Orlando to appreciate the value of his ancestral stately home, which he proceeds to furnish lavishly. There he plays host to the populace.
Ennui sets in and the harassment of a persistent suitor, the Archduchess Harriet, leads to Orlando's fleeing the country when appointed by King Charles II as ambassador to Constantinople. Orlando performs his duties well, until a night of civil unrest and murderous riots. He falls asleep for a period of days, resistant to all efforts to rouse him. Upon awakening he finds that he has metamorphosed into a woman – the same person, with the same personality and intellect, but in a woman's body. Although the narrator of the novel is disturbed and befuddled by Orlando's sex change, Orlando herself is complacent. From here on out, Orlando's gender changes frequently although she stays biologically female.
The now Lady Orlando covertly escapes Constantinople in the company of a Gypsy clan. She adopts their way of life until its essential conflict with her upbringing leads her to head home. Only on the ship back to England, with her constraining female clothes and an incident in which a flash of her ankle nearly results in a sailor's falling to his death, does she realise the magnitude of becoming a woman. She concludes it has an overall advantage, declaring "Praise God I'm a woman!" Back in England, Orlando is hounded again by the archduchess, who reveals herself to be a man, the Archduke Harry. Orlando evades his marriage proposals. She goes on to live switching between gender roles, dressing alternately as both man and woman.
Orlando soon becomes caught up in the life of the 18th and 19th centuries, holding court with the great poets (notably Alexander Pope). Nick Greene reappears, apparently also timeless, and promotes Orlando's writing, promising to help her publish The Oak Tree.
Orlando wins a lawsuit over her property and marries a sea captain, Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine. Shelmerdine, like Orlando, is gender non-conforming, and Orlando credits this similarity with the success of their marriage. In 1928, she publishes The Oak Tree, centuries after starting it, and wins a prize. As her husband's ship returns in the aftermath of her success, she rushes to greet him.
