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Even Orlando (who had no conceit of her person) knew it…

“Even Orlando (who had no conceit of her person) knew it, for she smiled the involuntary smile which women smile when their own beauty, which seems not their own, forms like a drop falling or a fountain rising and confronts them all of a sudden in the glass.” quote by Virginia Woolf
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““Even Orlando (who had no conceit of her person) knew it, for she smiled the involuntary smile which women smile when their own beauty, which seems not their own, forms like a drop falling or a fountain rising and confronts them all of a sudden in the glass.””

Virginia Woolf

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A woman recognizes her unexpected beauty, feeling both astonishment and vulnerability as it suddenly becomes apparent.

In simple terms: She is surprised by her own beauty.

Key Takeaway

Embrace unexpected self‑recognition.

Themes

identity beauty self‑perception vulnerability

Mood

contemplative introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • art criticism
  • social interaction

Key Concepts

feminist literature psychology of self

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does sudden self‑awareness affect confidence?
  • What does this reveal about societal standards of beauty?
A Different Perspective

Beauty can be unsettling and may challenge self‑image.

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