African-American Literature Spotlight - Passing by Nella Larsen

Passing by Nella Larsen chronicles a series of encounters between Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, childhood friends. Although both are fair-skinned African-American women, Irene chooses to live the life of a black woman while Clare chooses to pass for white. However, Irene is not without her own race-related issues. The first encounter between Irene and Clare occurs in a fancy, upscale restaurant. Both have stopped for tea and both at the time are passing. In Irene's mind however, she is not doing anything wrong. She does not mind passing occasionally for social perks. However, her encounter with Clare sparks a curiosity that she has kept suppressed until their meeting: "...she was curious. There were things that she wanted to ask Clare Kendry. She wished to find out about this hazardous business of 'passing'..." (Larsen 24). Although she claims to be happy with her status in life, Irene is intrigued by Clare's ability to pass without fear. Also, despite allegedly embracing her black culture, Irene refuses to acknowledge that downside of her heritage, which is racism. She pretends that racism does not exist and tries to live the life of a white person, oblivious to racism. Irene's denial of the negative aspect of her heritage causes strife in her marriage. She chastises her husband, Brian when he tries to enlighten their children to the realities of racism and lynching. She also rejects Brian's desire to leave the racism in the United States for a more peaceful existence in Brazil. The tension in their marriage allows fear and doubt to enter Irene's consciousness when Clare begins to be a more present figure in her life and in the lives of her family.

Clare Kendry chooses to use her fair skin to pass into the white community. By doing so, she places herself in a potentially dangerous situation. While married to John Bellow, a white racist, Clare longs for the black culture from which she has been disconnected. Her chance encounter with Irene, enables her to reconnect with the culture she longs for. Clare invites Irene and Gertrude, another friend, to her house for tea so that they can catch up and so Clare can be reacquainted with her culture. However the situation gets awkward when Clare's husband comes and reveals his nickname for Clare is "Nig." He calls her this because of her dark complexion. Unbeknownst to Bellow, Clare's complexion is a result of her ethnic heritage. Bellew also unknowingly declares his hatred of blacks in from of three black women: "I don't dislike them, I hate them. And so does Nig, for all she's trying to turn into one. She wouldn't have a nigger maid around her for love nor money. Not that I'd want her to. They give me the creeps. The black scrimy devils" (Larsen 40). Clare's selfish nature and misrepresentation of herself allows her to subject her so-called friends to the ranting of her husband. However, Clare does not regret her attempts to merge her two worlds. In fact she revels in the danger of living close to the edge. She welcomes the discovery of her secret. Her "having" way enables her to manipulate every situation she encounters and her need to live on the edge keeps her in potentially harmful situations. In the end, this encounter will lead to her downfall, literally.

Clare meets her end in the middle of a cocktail party. Clare's death is the climatic end to a party begins merrily. The jovial party offers the perfect opportunity for Irene to orchestrate her plan. She carefully calculates her moves: "'It seems dreadfully warm in here. Mind if I open this window?' With that she pushed open one of the long casement-windows of which the Freelands were so proud...Irene finished her cigarette and threw it out, watching the tiny spark drop slowly down to the white ground below"(Larsen 110). When opportunity presents itself in the commotion of Bellow's arrival, Irene pushes Clare out of the open window to her death. The party scene serves as a catalyst to reveal the true nature of Irene.

Passing does not resolve the issues related to passing or self-denial as a means to attain happiness and success. However, it does exhibit the inevitable dawn fall associated with living a life of superficial and unreal existences

Works Cited
Larsen, Nella. Passing, 1929.