Passing is written by Nella Larsen, which was first published in 1929. The newer version was published in 2003 by Penguin Classics. The book can also be found in another book of all of Nella Larsen’s works. In that particular collection it is 107 pages. I picked this book because it deals with romance. That type of genre interest me, but I had also heard it was about friendships and betrayal. It intrigued me to find out what happened to two women who could perish if their true identity would come out. Passing was the last actual book she wrote. The rest were short stories and soon she stopped her writing career.
There are two prominent characters, which are Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, who were childhood friends. Both are from African American and European descent; they are both light skinned, which gives them the option to try to pass for a white, hence the title Passing. Irene embraces her African American ancestry. She has a black husband and two little boys, but passes for white only in convenient situations; for example, in social or public places because of segregation policies. She helps Clare’s secret remain secret. Clare’s father dies early in her life, which is when she stops seeing Irene. Clare moves with two aunts, whom no one knew she had. Clare passes for a white and is married to a rich, white, racist man.
Besides Clare and Irene, there are more minor characters which have a certain role to play. John Bellew or “Jack”, as Clare calls him, is her husband. He does not know of Clare’s true identity. Brian Redfield is Irene’s husband. He is a well known doctor, but hates his work. He is a negro himself and knows Irene is as well. He also helps Clare and Irene keep Clare’s secret. Later on in the book, Irene believes he is having an affair with Clare.
The type of book is a romance book I believe. The setting of the book is in Harlem, although at the beginning it starts at Chicago. That is an important place because where it really all starts. Clare and Irene meet again after 12 years on a roof of a café. The book’s time period is the 20th century. Both Irene and Clare seem to envy each other’s life in some aspects. Their sex lives are also similar and the book shows that. Irene and her husband sleep in different rooms and Clare’s husband is always away on business. The time period during the book is during segregation times. Slaves are not prevalent; however, there are still maids. If someone was even the slightest of African American ancestry, they were considered a negro. Many people for that reason would ‘pass’ for a white person. Clare passes since she was 18. She eloped with Bellew and they currently have a daughter. After Irene and Clare meet again, Clare goes to visit Irene in Harlem while John is away on business. Clare makes those frequent visits because she misses her roots; seeing many African Americans excites her and makes her feel complete. Irene and Brian take Clare to parties and have fun. Before long, Irene suspects of an affair between Clare and Brian. She is filled with hatred and tries to get rid of her. One day she meets Clare’s husband on the street. She practically tells him the truth about Clare, but she hints at it. Irene is so filled with jealousy she is willing to do anything to keep Brian. John Bellew is yelling tying to find Clare. He finally discovered the truth and wants to confront her. However, before he gets a chance Clare falls to her death from a window. The reader is meant to speculate whether she committed suicide or if Irene pushed her out.
After reading, Passing my final thoughts were I liked the story and the theme, however, I wish it had gone in more detail it seemed like it was rushing everything; months passed in a few pages. I had hoped it would go more in detail and explain more the reasons for Irene’s hatred of Clare. It only mentioned some parties. Although, I did like it because it was easy to read first of all, but also the essence of the drama in their lives seemed interesting. It confused me a little however. Irene would describe Clare as beautiful and magnificent over and over again. It was a bit strange feelings for a woman to another woman. One of the weak points was the story went to fast, and a strong point was of how dynamic the ending was. I had not expected that. The way the author described the scene makes one believe Irene did push her because when people find Clare, she denies aggressively in her head that she is not responsible. Jealousy can destroy more than just a friendship; it can destroy oneself and the people surrounding one’s life, even if it is based on assumptions or ones insecurities.
There are two prominent characters, which are Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, who were childhood friends. Both are from African American and European descent; they are both light skinned, which gives them the option to try to pass for a white, hence the title Passing. Irene embraces her African American ancestry. She has a black husband and two little boys, but passes for white only in convenient situations; for example, in social or public places because of segregation policies. She helps Clare’s secret remain secret. Clare’s father dies early in her life, which is when she stops seeing Irene. Clare moves with two aunts, whom no one knew she had. Clare passes for a white and is married to a rich, white, racist man.
Besides Clare and Irene, there are more minor characters which have a certain role to play. John Bellew or “Jack”, as Clare calls him, is her husband. He does not know of Clare’s true identity. Brian Redfield is Irene’s husband. He is a well known doctor, but hates his work. He is a negro himself and knows Irene is as well. He also helps Clare and Irene keep Clare’s secret. Later on in the book, Irene believes he is having an affair with Clare.
The type of book is a romance book I believe. The setting of the book is in Harlem, although at the beginning it starts at Chicago. That is an important place because where it really all starts. Clare and Irene meet again after 12 years on a roof of a café. The book’s time period is the 20th century. Both Irene and Clare seem to envy each other’s life in some aspects. Their sex lives are also similar and the book shows that. Irene and her husband sleep in different rooms and Clare’s husband is always away on business. The time period during the book is during segregation times. Slaves are not prevalent; however, there are still maids. If someone was even the slightest of African American ancestry, they were considered a negro. Many people for that reason would ‘pass’ for a white person. Clare passes since she was 18. She eloped with Bellew and they currently have a daughter. After Irene and Clare meet again, Clare goes to visit Irene in Harlem while John is away on business. Clare makes those frequent visits because she misses her roots; seeing many African Americans excites her and makes her feel complete. Irene and Brian take Clare to parties and have fun. Before long, Irene suspects of an affair between Clare and Brian. She is filled with hatred and tries to get rid of her. One day she meets Clare’s husband on the street. She practically tells him the truth about Clare, but she hints at it. Irene is so filled with jealousy she is willing to do anything to keep Brian. John Bellew is yelling tying to find Clare. He finally discovered the truth and wants to confront her. However, before he gets a chance Clare falls to her death from a window. The reader is meant to speculate whether she committed suicide or if Irene pushed her out.
After reading, Passing my final thoughts were I liked the story and the theme, however, I wish it had gone in more detail it seemed like it was rushing everything; months passed in a few pages. I had hoped it would go more in detail and explain more the reasons for Irene’s hatred of Clare. It only mentioned some parties. Although, I did like it because it was easy to read first of all, but also the essence of the drama in their lives seemed interesting. It confused me a little however. Irene would describe Clare as beautiful and magnificent over and over again. It was a bit strange feelings for a woman to another woman. One of the weak points was the story went to fast, and a strong point was of how dynamic the ending was. I had not expected that. The way the author described the scene makes one believe Irene did push her because when people find Clare, she denies aggressively in her head that she is not responsible. Jealousy can destroy more than just a friendship; it can destroy oneself and the people surrounding one’s life, even if it is based on assumptions or ones insecurities.