Orlando

Woolf uses the fluid depiction of gender to imply that a binary understanding of gender is not based in scientific fact; rather, it is a social construction. The change in sex does not affect Orlando's core character; they still are passionate about poetry, nature, and love. Over time, Orlando becomes more mature, but they remain fundamentally the same person. Woolf considers the impact of social gender expectations on a person. For men, she considers the expectations for adventure, fame, and social power. For women, she considers the expectations regarding marriage, children, and domestic work. Women “must be obedient, chaste, scented, and exquisitely apparelled” (115), even if that is not their natural state. Orlando’s transformation highlights how these expectations are artificially constructed. Orlando is frustrated with how long it takes a woman to get ready: hairdressing “alone will take an hour;” “looking in the looking-glass, another hour;” then “staying and lacing;” “washing and powdering;” and putting on their dresses (116). Woolf implies that these expectations are ridiculous and unneeded.

These expectations are also culturally dependent. When Orlando lives with the Romani people, her gender does not play a large role in her daily life. Her clothing is unisex, and she does not feel that her actions are much changed.