Passing

Passing is a riveting novel by African-American writer Nella Larsen. As a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, Larsen’s work often dealt with what it meant to be black in America. One facet of the so-called “Negro problem,” and one that other writers tackled as well, was the concept of “passing,” which entailed black people pretending to be white, in order to avoid discrimination and gain access to the privilege of whiteness. Larsen’s novel deals with this issue head-on, as well as the psychological implications this performance entails for those involved. Larsen’s novel allows readers a glimpse into the harrowing experience of passing.

The narrative follows Irene Redfield and her troubling friendship with Clare Kendry. Both Irene and Clare are African-American, but due to their light complexions, can pass for white. While Irene passes only occasionally, thus partaking in the privileges afforded to white people only when necessary, Clare has left her past behind her to pass completely, or so it would seem.

The novel begins when Irene receives a letter from Clare, begging for a meeting. Irene wants to ignore the letter, not only because of the dangers and risks associated with meeting Clare again, but because Clare is such a reckless person. Irene recalls the death of Clare’s father when they were young, after which Clare moved away and then disappeared altogether. Irene later saw Clare in Chicago. She and Clare spy each other having tea at the Drayton Hotel. Though each initially suspects the other of being white, they eventually recognize each other and attempt to catch up. Clare invites Irene to tea, though Irene intends to never see Clare again.

Things do not go to plan for Irene, however. Due to Clare’s charms, Irene ends up attending the tea party Clare previously invited her to. At the party, Irene sees Gertrude Martin, another African-American who passes as white, and later meets Clare’s racist husband, John Bellew. Though Clare has a child with John, she tells neither John nor her daughter about her real ethnicity. Irene is disgusted by John, and resolves not to let Clare meddle in her life again.

However, Irene is unable to get rid of Clare. Clare is charming, and socializes widely. Clare wants to be around other African-Americans more and more, despite the dangers. As well as dealing with Clare and the complications she represents, Irene must also deal with her husband Brian and his whims. Brian is tired of the violence and racism of American society. He wants to move to Brazil instead, but Irene refuses to uproot her family, including her two children, Ted and Junior, for his fanciful dream. Brian is a doctor who dislikes sick people; he only practices because Irene wanted him to be a doctor.

Irene’s life eventually implodes when she finds that Brian and Clare are having an affair. Irene must decide if she will remain loyal to Clare and her secret, or expose Clare in retaliation for this betrayal. Irene struggles with the morality of letting a racist like John Bellew know about Clare’s true identity, given that doing so might put her in very real danger. Irene has a chance to inform John when she comes face to face with him one day, but remains faithful to Clare’s secret.

One night, Clare, Brian and Irene attend a party given by their friends. Irene is still trying to determine how to best remove Clare from the situation without losing Brian. Suddenly, John Bellew barges into the room and informs Clare that he knows she is black. Madness ensues, and Clare, who has backed up to an open window, falls out. Everyone rushed downstairs, except for Irene. Irene tries to piece together what happened to see if she is guilty of pushing Clare. The novel ends with differing accounts of what happened, though no one suspects that Irene had anything to do with Clare’s death.

Other work by this author includes the novel, Quicksand.