Thinking activity - Virginia Woolf’s Orlando - A Biography

 This blog is part of our study. This Thinking activity is based on Virginia Woolf’s Orlando - A Biography was assigned by Megha ma'am . In this task, we have to answer some questions movie-screening-vita-and-virginia-by.html and write our own views on Orlando and Vita and Virginia movies in this blog.

Virginia Woolf:-

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was an English writer and one of the most influential modernists of the 20th century. She was a pioneer of the stream-of-consciousness technique in literature, and her work is characterized by an emphasis on interiority, subjectivity, and psychological depth. Woolf was also a feminist and a member of the Bloomsbury Group, an influential circle of writers and intellectuals.

Woolf's notable works include novels, essays, and short stories. Her most famous novels include "Mrs. Dalloway" (1925), which follows a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, a high-society woman in post-World War I London; "To the Lighthouse" (1927), which explores the emotional and psychological complexities of a family on a summer vacation; and "Orlando" (1928), a playful and gender-bending novel that spans three centuries and follows the life of an immortal protagonist who changes sex from male to female.

Woolf's essays and non-fiction works are also highly regarded, particularly her feminist and literary criticism. Her essay collection "A Room of One's Own" (1929) is a seminal feminist text that argues for women's independence and autonomy, and has become a cornerstone of feminist literature. Other notable essays include "Three Guineas" (1938), which explores the role of women in society and the prevention of war, and "The Common Reader" (1925), a collection of literary criticism.

Despite her success and critical acclaim, Woolf suffered from mental illness throughout her life, and committed suicide in 1941. However, her legacy as a writer and feminist icon endures, and her works continue to be studied and celebrated for their innovation, complexity, and emotional resonance.

 In these questions, we have to write some answers to the questions mentioned in the attached blog. 

1. How far do you feel that Orlando is influenced by Vita and Virginia’s love affair? Does it talk only about that or do you find anything else too?

Orlando is heavily influenced by Vita and Virginia's love affair. Throughout the novel, Orlando has a complex relationship with gender and sexuality, as the novel follows him through his life as he moves between male and female identities. Orlando's journey is also influenced by his relationship to Vita and Virginia, as he struggles to come to terms with his own fluid sexuality, while also exploring and challenging the traditional gender roles of the time. However, while Orlando's experiences are heavily informed by his relationship to Vita and Virginia, the novel is not only about that, but also largely about freedom of expression and the power of accepting yourself.

"Orlando" is a novel that explores many themes beyond just the love affair between its author and Vita Sackville-West. The novel is a complex and playful exploration of gender, time, and identity, and it challenges traditional notions of narrative and history.

The novel's protagonist, Orlando, is a gender-shifting character who lives for over 300 years, experiencing a variety of historical periods and social contexts. Through Orlando's experiences, Woolf explores the fluidity of gender and the ways in which social norms shape our identities.While the love affair between Woolf and Sackville-West undoubtedly influenced the creation of "Orlando," it is just one element of a much larger and more complex work. The novel is a celebration of literature, history, and human experience, and its enduring appeal lies in its ability to provoke thought and inspire reflection on the nature of identity and selfhood.

2. Who do you think is confused about their identity Vita or Virginia? Explain with illustrations.

Both Vita and Virginia were both deeply confused about their identities. Vita's confusion stemmed from her desire to break away from the traditional women's roles assigned to her by society, while Virginia struggled to reconcile her traditional upbringing with her desire to explore her sexuality and her identity as an artist.

Vita, for example, was a daughter of a wealthy family and was expected to marry and take on the role of a traditional wife. Yet she rejected these expectations, running away with her lover, entering a period of exploration and ultimately becoming a celebrated writer and poet. Along the way, she faced a great deal of confusion as she struggled to find her own place in the world.

Virginia, on the other hand, faced confusion in her intense desire to explore her sexuality. Growing up in a restrictive environment, she longed for freedom but felt restricted by the expectations of her class and gender. She sought solace in writing, but still struggled to reconcile her traditional upbringing with her desire for erotic freedom. 

Ultimately, both Vita and Virginia experienced confusion as they sought to discover themselves and find a place in the world. They expressed their confusion in their writing and artwork, offering insight and clarity into their inner lives.

3. What is society’s thought about women and identity? Do you agree with them? If Yes then why? If not then why?

Society has traditionally placed expectations and roles on women that can be deeply limiting, as both Vita and Virginia experienced. Society has often viewed women as responsible for nurturing and caring for others, while expecting them to limit their own desires and ambitions.

I do not agree with society's traditional views of women and identity. Women should be free to explore their interests and talents and to pursue their passions and desires without fear of judgement or criticism. Women should be able to choose how they want to live their lives, without having to conform to prescribed roles or expectations. Women should also be encouraged to pursue their own goals and dreams and to discover their own unique identity. Women should be empowered to create their own paths and to make their own decisions about who they want to be and how they want to live

What can we do to change the rules for that type of society?

In order to create a society that is more open, accepting, and supportive of women, we must challenge the traditional views of gender roles and expectations, and recognize and celebrate the unique talents and abilities of women. We must create a society that is free of judgement and criticism, and one that embraces and celebrates the differences between men and women.

We can start by creating more spaces that are safe and supportive of women, such as businesses, organizations, and communities. We can also support and amplify the voices of women, and create more opportunities for them to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives. Furthermore, we must work to create a society that actively works to combat gender-based violence and discrimination. Finally, we can create more opportunities for women to pursue their interests, dreams, and goals, and to create a society that truly celebrates and recognizes their achievements

Indian's Views on women and identity

In India, traditional views of women and identity tend to be largely patriarchal, with women expected to conform to certain gender roles and societal expectations. Women are often expected to prioritize the needs of their families over their own, and to put the interests of their husbands and children ahead of their own. Women are often seen as responsible for domestic tasks such as child-rearing, cooking, and cleaning, while men are expected to be the primary breadwinners.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement in India to challenge these traditional views of gender roles and identity. There have been efforts to promote more equal opportunities in education, employment, and decision-making processes for women, and to ensure that women have the right to choose how they want to lead their lives. There have also been efforts to create a more inclusive society, where women are respected and represented, and can pursue their own paths and goals without fear of judgement or discrimination 

4. What are your views on Gender Identity? Would you like to give any message to society?

My view on gender identity is that it is something that is unique to each individual, and should be respected and accepted. No one should be defined by their gender, and all individuals should be allowed to express their gender identity in any way they choose. The key is to create an inclusive society, where all genders are accepted, respected, and celebrated.

My message to society is to be more open-minded and accepting of gender identity and expression. Everyone is different, and we should celebrate these differences rather than judge or criticize them. We should create a society that is free of judgement and discrimination, and one that embraces and celebrates the unique gender identities of all individuals.

5. Write a note on the direction of the movie. Which symbols and space caught your attention while watching the movie?

The film is known for its visually stunning cinematography, which captures the film's time-traveling narrative and exploration of gender and identity.

The movie Orlando is an enchanting tale, directed with great artistry and vision. It moves from light to dark and back again, creating an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The director's use of symbolism is especially notable, with recurring images of birds, mirrors, and transformation. These powerful symbols capture the story's themes of identity and self-discovery. 

One of the key symbols in the film is the character of Orlando's changing gender and appearance, which is represented through costume design and makeup. The film uses these visual elements to explore the fluidity of gender and the ways in which gender identity is constructed and performed.

The spaces in the movie are also captivating, particularly the palace, which is a breathtakingly beautiful space. This space acts as a metaphor for the main character's journey, with its majestic beauty and grandeur. The dark, eerie forest is also a striking space, and captures the sense of danger and uncertainty that the character experiences. Overall, Orlando is an enchanting, visually stunning movie that uses powerful symbols and spaces to bring the story to life.

6. "Vita and Virginia" had to be made into a Bollywood Adaptation, who do you think would be fit for the role of Vita and Virginia?

For the role of Vita Sackville-West, an actress who can portray her confidence, charm, and unconventional nature would be suitable. One potential choice could be Konkona Sen Sharma, who has portrayed complex and nuanced characters in films such as "Lipstick Under My Burkha" and "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer."

For the role of Virginia Woolf, an actress who can capture her intellectualism, sensitivity, and emotional depth would be appropriate one potential choice could be Swara Bhaskar, who has played roles that challenge traditional gender norms and explore complex themes of identity and social justice in films such as "Anaarkali of Aarah" and "Nil Battey Sannata."

[2] Compulsory Question: 

Write your views on the movie Orlando. What differences and similarities have you noticed in the movie Vita and Virginia and Orlando?

"Orlando" is a 1992 film adaptation of Virginia Woolf's novel of the same name, directed by Sally Potter and starring Tilda Swinton in the titular role. The film explores themes of gender and identity through its time-traveling narrative and use of symbolism and visual imagery.

On the other hand, "Vita and Virginia" is a 2018 biographical drama film directed by Chanya Button, which explores the real-life romantic relationship between Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf in the 1920s. The film examines themes of love, creativity, and identity, and features Elizabeth Debicki as Virginia Woolf and Gemma Arterton as Vita Sackville-West.

One similarity between the two films is their exploration of themes related to gender and identity. "Orlando" explores the fluidity of gender and the ways in which gender identity is constructed and performed, while "Vita and Virginia" examines how personal and creative identities intersect with sexuality and societal expectations.

Both films also feature strong performances from their lead actresses. Tilda Swinton's portrayal of Orlando in "Orlando" is widely regarded as one of her most iconic roles, while Elizabeth Debicki and Gemma Arterton bring a nuanced and authentic portrayal of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West in "Vita and Virginia."

One key difference between the two films is their focus and narrative structure. "Orlando" is a fictional work that explores a character's transformation over several centuries, while "Vita and Virginia" is based on real events and focuses on the relationship between two historical figures.

While "Orlando" and "Vita and Virginia" share similarities in their exploration of gender and identity and feature strong performances from their lead actresses, they differ in their focus and narrative structure, with "Orlando" being a fictional work and "Vita and Virginia" being based on real events.

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