“For Love, to which we may now return, has two faces; one white, the other black; two bodies; one smooth, the other hairy. It has two hands, two feet, two tails, two, indeed, of every member and each one is the exact opposite of the other. Yet, so strictly are they joined together that you cannot separate them. In this case, Orlando’s love began her flight towards him with her white face turned, and her smooth and lovely body outwards. Nearer and nearer she came wafting before her airs of pure delight. All of a sudden (at the sight of the Archduchess presumably) she wheeled about, turned the other way round; showed herself black, hairy, brutish; and it was Lust the vulture, not Love, the Bird of Paradise that flopped, foully and disgustingly, upon his shoulders. Hence he ran; hence he fetched the footman.”
Analysis
In this quote from Virginia Woolf's novel "Orlando," the author uses the metaphor of Love having two faces to illustrate how quickly love can turn into lust. The white face represents pure and genuine love, while the black face symbolizes lust and base desires. The sudden shift from love to lust, as seen in Orlando's experience, highlights the fleeting nature of emotions and the complexities of human relationships. The image of Love turning into Lust, depicted as a vulture instead of a Bird of Paradise, conveys the ugliness and degradation that can occur when pure love is corrupted. Overall, Woolf's use of this metaphor illuminates the duality of human emotions and the potential for love to be tainted by darker impulses.
Modern Relevance
In this passage from Virginia Woolf's novel "Orlando," the concept of love is explored in a metaphorical way, highlighting its dual nature. This duality of love, with one face being white and pure, and the other black and lustful, is a theme that still resonates in contemporary society. Love and lust are often intertwined, and individuals may find themselves struggling to differentiate between the two. This passage serves as a reminder of the complexities of love and the challenges of navigating romantic relationships.
Example of Usage
In this passage from Virginia Woolf's novel, "Orlando," the author vividly depicts the duality of love. Love is portrayed as having two faces, one white and one black, each representing a different aspect of the emotion. This complex portrayal highlights the multifaceted nature of love and how it can quickly transform from something pure and beautiful to something dark and destructive. Woolf's poetic language captures the tumultuous nature of emotions and how they can easily shift in unexpected ways.
Reflection Questions
This quote from Virginia Woolf's Orlando explores the duality of love and lust, highlighting the contrast between the pure and beautiful nature of love and the ugly and selfish nature of lust. As you reflect on this passage, consider the following questions:
- How do you interpret the metaphor of love having two faces - one white and one black?
- Have you ever experienced a situation where your perception of love shifted to something darker and more selfish? How did you handle it?
- In what ways do you distinguish between genuine love and lust in your own relationships?
- How do societal expectations and external influences shape our understanding of love and lust?
- Can you think of any personal experiences or examples from literature or film that mirror the shifting nature of love described in the quote?
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