Penelope Hartopp Character Analysis

The daughter of a general who attends Orlando’s lavish ball in Constantinople the night Orlando’s patent of nobility arrives from England. Since most historical documents of the time have been destroyed in a fire, the book’s fictional biographer uses Miss Hartopp’s account to piece together the events of the evening. Miss Hartopp recounts a glorious party, and claims that her host, Orlando, stands “at least” six feet tall and has great legs. The narrator, of course, describes Orlando as having lovely legs, but never does the narrator mention him being of such height. Penelope Hartopp’s recollection of Orlando’s party underscores the unreliability of memory and the subjectivity of truth. Her recollection is undoubtedly an exaggeration, but as a part of the “official record,” it is nevertheless accepted as truth. While Penelope likely believes her own memories and takes them for truth, they are not, strictly speaking, objectively true.