Metanarration and Bildungsroman in Virginia Woolf's Orlando and Sally Potter's Cinematic Adaptation

Abstract

Woolf’s Orlando is at the same time an exercise of freedom in which fantasy mixes with reality, and a demonstration of an excellent command of literary genres. Behind its light-hearted tone, and its apparent resistance to be categorised, the text hides a dense and complex design which allows Woolf both, to represent the character of Orlando, and to reflect on how life can be turned into art. The present paper focuses on the presence of metanarrative comments in the text and its consideration as a Bildungsroman, and demonstrates how both elements are closely interrelated. On the other hand, it analyses how those generic features are reflected in Potter’s cinematic adaptation. The dialogic interaction between the text and the film no doubt enriches their understanding and demonstrates that literary genres are essential in shaping both of them.