The Journey to a true self through the use of tree symbolism in Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and Katherine Mansfield’s ‘Bliss’

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to analyse how the tree symbolism found in Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and Katherine Mansfield’s ‘Bliss’ contributes to deviating from heteronormativity. The method of close reading is used to identify what specific role the tree symbolism plays in the lives of the main characters Orlando and Bertha. This thesis identifies a gap in the literature written about the texts and attempts to shed light on a specific area of research that could be done. The introduction gives a brief overview of Orlando, ‘Bliss’ and the time period the texts were published in. The first chapter focuses on previous literature written about the tree symbolism in Orlando and ‘Bliss’ to see what has already been found on the topic. The second chapter analyses the role of the oak tree in Orlando and the pear tree in ‘Bliss’ to show the emotional journey the characters go on to find their true self and how it is connected to nature.