Passing, a 1929 novel by nella larsen, then a rising star in the harlem renaissance, tells the story of the friendship between two lightskinned black women, irene and clare. In passing, her second novel published in 1929, she examines the troubled friendship between two mixedrace women who can pass as white. Passing is a novel by american author nella larsen. In other words she describes african women who are lightskinned enough to be able to use the advantages of and assimilate into white society if they choose. Nella larsen 18911964 was the author of several short stories and two novels, quicksand and passing. Two of the most significant themes are identity and belonging.
Nella larsens classic novel passing explores the themes of race and identity via the phenomenon of passing. Nella larsen s passing opens with the protagonist irene reading the second letter she has ever received from her childhood acquaintance clare, in which clare asks irene if they can see each other. The title refers to the practice of racial passing, and is a key element of the novel. Set primarily in the harlem neighborhood of new york city. Understanding the purpose of clare kendry in passing. The consequences of racial identity in larsens passing. The novel, passing, by nella larsen, looks at the effect associated with double consciousness concerning racial identity. Mcdowell questioned why a career with such auspicious beginnings had. In fact, the protagonist, irene, is forced to deal with the conflict within her, which solely poses an implication on the perception of her racial identity. However, as a flashback to their childhood in chicagos south side, we can see through irenes. Larsen was an african american, seeing with a rather steely eye into some of the uncomfortable accommodations which might be made in order to best gain the riches and rewards which america offered the educated.
First published to critical acclaim in 1929, passing firmly established nella larsens prominence among women writers of the harlem renaissance. First published to critical acclaim in 1929, passing is a remarkable exploration of the shifting racial and sexual boundaries in 1920s new york, and still carries relevance today as a modern classic. In 1929, nella larsen wrote passing, a novel that delves into the lives of two africanamerican women living in segregated society. The way in which these identities mutate, shift, become a camouflage in society is something that is intriguing. Passing functions as a metaphor with several layers of meaning. Nella larsen s passing was originally published in 1929, and is a chilling, chilly account of the politics of race, class and gender. Even from the very beginning of the novel, irene redfield was more concerned with her childhood friend, claire, than all she had in her life. A vast amount of literature was created specifically for this group during this era. The powerful, thrilling, and tragic tale about the fluidity of racial identity that continues to resonate today, with an introduction by emily bernard. When nella larsen s two novels, quicksand and passing, were republished in 1986 after decades of literary neglect, editor deborah e. First published to critical acclaim in 1929, passing firmly established nella larsen s prominence among women writers of the harlem renaissance.
In nella larsens passing, whiteness isnt just about race electric. It was a period when the african american was in vogue and white thinkers and writers were devoting a considerable amount of attention to them taylor 91, 90. Free comprehensive study guide for passing by nella larsen. Clares decision to pass as white carries with it the assumption of selfhatred and. When they meet again, irene is living in harlem with her.
Nella larsens passing the harlem renaissance was a turning point for many african americans. Irene redfield, the novels protagonist, is a woman with an enviable life. Clare kendrys attempt to pass as white for her husband, john bellew, is its most significant depiction. More information on about the bookreader report a problem. By bringing the lives of these two women to the big screen, we inject our audience at the color line, straddling the threshold of identity politics. Clares passing helps her escape dreary family and enter the world. The plot centers on the meeting of two childhood friends of mixedrace africanamerican ancestry. Whatever steps she took, or if she took none at all, something would be crushed. Set primarily in the harlem neighborhood of new york city in the 1920s, the story. Set primarily in the harlem neighborhood of new york city in the 1920s, the story centers on the reunion of two childhood friendsclare kendry and irene redfieldand their increasing fascination with each others lives. Nella larsens powerful, thrilling, and tragic tale about the fluidity of racial identity that continues to resonate today. Published in 1929 and set in 1920s harlem, new york city. Irene passes for white, eventually abandoning her black heritage, while clare, who can also pass, is proud of her racial background.
First published in 1929, passing is a remarkable exploration of the shifting racial and sexual boundaries in america. By highlighting the idea that clare is on the edge of danger, larsen foreshadows clares later fall from the window and gives the sense that, because she is whitepassing, clare is caught precariously between two worlds. Passing study guide contains a biography of nella larsen, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Race, gender, and sexuality in nella larsens passing. Provided to youtube by dance all day musicvertriebs gmbh chapter 4. She wished to find out about this hazardous business of passing, this breaking away from all that. Nella larsens novel, passing, centers around the experience of two biracial women whose identities are primarily performative as they navigate life with the privilege of passing as white. Many of its characters and occasions resemble other novels written during that era. The two had lost touch when clares father died and clare was forced to move in with her two white and racist aunts. The two most apparent personality traits that can be rightfully attributed with one of the main characters, irene, in nella larsens passing are jealousy and envy. Nella larsens novel passing 1929 focuses on two middleclass black women who reunite after a long break since their childhood friendship.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of passing by nella larsen. During this time the american minority groups were often subjected to discrimination and racial segregation. Passing is about the monumental cultural transformations that took place in american society after world war i. Following are some insightful quotes from passing by nella larsen, a classic novel of the harlem renaissance era passing is the story of two friends, irene and clare, both of mixed race, and both who present a mostly white appearance. The letter angers irene, though the reason why is not yet clear. Passing is more complex and ambitious than many of its predecessors, however, and this may. She and her husband, brian, a prominent physician, share a. Passing is a novel by african american author nella larsen, first published in 1929. Nella larsens remarkably candid exploration of shifting racial and sexual boundaries clare kendry leads a dangerous life. She and her husband, brian, a prominent physician, share a comfortable harlem town house with their sons.
Kangyl ko english 6310 october 6, 2015 midterm essay passing, by nella larsen passing, by nella larsen is a novel all about pretending to be something that you are not. As irene looks at the letter, she imagines clare as she knew her when she was a child, calmly and defiantly sewing a. Nella larsens second novel, passing appeared in 1929 at the peak of the harlem renaissance. The unconscious in nella larsen s passing nella larsen s tragic mulatto. Nella larsen, passing 1929 she was caught between two allegiances, different, yet the same.
In nella larsens acclaimed novel passing, irene and clare have a hauntingly modern story and their story isnt behind us as americans. She received a guggenheim fellowship to write a third novel in 1930 but, unable to find a publisher for it, she disappeared from the literary more about nella larsen. What is the theme of the novel passing by nella larsen. One of the women she describes is irene, the protagonist, who keeps her black.
The unconscious in nella larsens passing nella larsens tragic mulatto. Passing is a novel by american author nella larsen, first published in 1929. Passing by nella larsen essay sample nella larsens book passing examines the role of african american females and their identities in society. Indeed, its working title, nig, alludes to nigger heaven, the novel by larsens friend and mentor carl van vechten. By highlighting the idea that clare is on the edge of danger, larsen foreshadows clares later fall from the window and gives the sense that, because she is white passing, clare is caught precariously between two worlds. To describe it simply as a novel about a black woman passing for white would be to ignore the multiple layers of its concerns.
Nella larsens passing was originally published in 1929, and is a chilling, chilly account of the politics of race, class and gender. Passing summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Clare kendry, a wealthy and beautiful biracial woman who has spent many years passing and longing to return to her cultural roots. Passing study guide contains a biography of nella larsen, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and. In nella larsens passing, whiteness isnt just about. The narrative then flashes back to two years before, when irene is shopping for souvenirs for her sons in the sweltering heat. Nella larsens passing was influenced by the theme of privilege and prosperity as well as the forms of social segregation those women encountered in the 1920s. Clare kendry and irene redfiel are friends from old and a chance meeting sees them rekindle a forgotten friendship. Nella larsen, a novelist of the harlem renaissance, wrote two brilliant novels that interrogated issues of gender and race. Through this narrative, larsen suggests that both racial and gendersexual identities. Part three finale one the year was getting on towards its end. In her novel passing, nella larsen writes about african american women passing as white. Passing follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.