Orlando

Nature is used to describe both Orlando’s mental state and the culture of London society. At the beginning of the 19th century, the gloomy weather seeps into everything, causing all to turn chilly. Houses became dark and overgrown with ivy, men “felt the chill in their hearts” (168), and “the British Empire came into existence” (168). This change was also reflected in literature, where “sentences swelled, adjectives multiplied, lyrics became epics, and little triggles that had been essays a column long were now encyclopaedias in ten or twenty volumes” (168). By tying these trends to the gloominess of the age, Woolf criticizes the values and ideals of the Victorian age, ascribing them to a sort of blot on England. That these qualities emerge at the supposed height of the British Empire—at least in terms of reach and influence—are no coincidence, given Woolf’s antipathy toward the British imperial project.

Orlando recognizes the “Oak Tree” manuscript as a reflection of herself. As she reads through it, she is struck by “how very little she had changed all these years” (173). She still has the “same brooding meditative temper, the same love of animals and nature, the same passion for the country and the seasons” (173). This newfound self-awareness reflects her maturation as a person and poet. The manuscript reflects all of her struggles and trials. Echoing the description of Mary Queen of Scots’s prayer book, the manuscript is now “sea-stained, blood-stained, travel-stained” (172). Her decision that it was “time to make an end” (171) of her work on the poem reveals her desire to solidify her identity and conform with societal expectations.

Yet when Orlando attempts to work on her poem, her pen “blots” as if it has an “infirmity” (173). These blots reflect Orlando’s inability to conform despite the extreme pressure she feels to do so. The tingling of her finger symbolizes the external pressure to conform by marrying. To rid herself of this tingling, she decides to yield to social expectations and marry.

When Orlando walks through town, she follows a trail of feathers. These feathers, a mark of inspiration, will lead her towards an ideal match. On this walk, she twists her ankle and feels like she is dying. Like her two trances, this death-like sensation precedes a dramatic personal transformation. When she meets Shel, she finds that he is a perfect match for her, as they are both gender-nonconforming. Their marriage stops the tingling in her finger, allowing her to conform while still writing and pursuing artistic inspiration.

When the outcome of the lawsuits from centuries ago are decided, Orlando is legally declared a woman. Once Orlando is assured that her marriage with Shel will be viewed as heterosexual and therefore “legitimate” in the eyes of British society, she does not much care what sexist expectations the law wants to place upon their marriage and children. In addition, she rejects the opportunity to re-enter upper class society once her titles and funds are returned to her. Instead, she chooses to spend her time with Shel. Orlando calls Shel many names, depending on her mood. This multitude of names reflects how Shel, too, has many different parts to himself. He is as complex as Orlando. They spend time together in nature, reading and reciting poetry. These actions reflect how equally matched the couple is.