Content analysis: Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Abstract

This study is a content analysis of Virginia Woolf's novel entitled “Orlando.” The method used was based on the feminist theory which is one of the major contemporary sociological theories that analyzes the status of women and men in society with the purpose of using that knowledge to better women's lives. It was found that it was an in-depth exploration of what it meant to be a man and a woman that might challenge and alter the readers’ preconceived notions of what qualifies to being male and/or female characteristics by highlighting the differences between socially structured gender and biological sex. Virginia Woolf s novel, “Orlando” stood as one of those works of literature that could not be fully appreciated in its time because it appeared to be written specifically for a future Zeitgeist. She foreshadowed the 21st century adoptions of irony as the preferred currency of emotional exchange and postmodern fragmentation as the ideal means for delivering her message to her audience or readers in “Orlando.” This study recommended that educators, readers and researchers should study more on Virginia Woolf's other works. Furthermore, future researchers should use this study as a comparative study to its film. This will be helpful for them with allied studies.