Category Archives: Blog Post Connecting Passing by Nella Larsen to Contemporary Culture and Society

Types of Passing in Nelle Larsen’s Novel

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Passing is the process of assuming an identity other than the one society has assigned and can apply to race, gender or sexuality. In the novel, Clare and Irene engage in passing by presenting themselves as white in order to gain privileges and advantages that would have been denied to them as African-Americans during that time. The motivation behind passing often stems from the desire to avoid racist discrimination and violence, making it an appealing option.

“Irene Redfield wished, for the first time in her life, that she had not been born a Negro. For the first time she suffered and rebelled because she was unable to disregard the burden of race.” (Larsen, page 181)

In my blog post, I would like to explore the various forms of passing depicted in the novel, extending beyond racial passing. Clare and Irene are not only passing as members of a different race but also as straight individuals. Throughout the narrative, Irene makes observations about Clare’s mannerisms, physical appearance, body language, speech, and actions, often expressing conflicting emotions. This complex mix of emotions that Irene experiences towards Clare can be confusing. At times, Irene seems unable to tolerate Clare, feeling annoyed or angry, while other moments reveal her concern and worry for her friend. Despite any negative feelings, it is evident that Irene invests a significant amount of time contemplating Clare and their relationship.

” …For I am lonely, so lonely…cannot help longing to be with you again, as I have never longed for anything before; and I have wanted many things in my life…” (Larsen, page 8)

“At that moment it seemed a dreadful thing to think of never seeing Clare Kendry again. Standing there under the appeal, the caress, of her eyes, Irene had the desire, the hope, that this parting wouldn’t be the last.” (Larsen, page 47)

The last type of passing is death. At the end of the story when Clare’s husband finds out the truth about her race. She is standing by an open window and the next second she falls out the window. Everyone in the room was distraught by the death. Irene is the only way that stays behind as everyone runs downstairs to see Clare, she wonders if she in fact did push Clare. No one thinks that it was Irene’s fault yet the feeling of guilt never goes away.  The ending also seems to fulfill the premonitions that Irene has experienced since Clare first reappeared in her life. As the novel makes clear, Clare constantly took risks in the pursuit of her desires, it is even possible that she deliberately fell out of the window in the hope that her luck would hold a little longer and that she would escape the terrible situation in which she found herself.

Connecting Racial Passing to Today:

Passing can now be seen as controversial in the 21st century because it is seen as rejection of blackness and cultural roots. Racial passing may not be as prevalent as in the past but it continues to be a relevant and thought-provoking topic. It opens discussions about identity, privilege, authenticity, colorism and societal perceptions.

-Colorism: Passing often involves presenting oneself as having lighter skin or conforming to Eurocentric beauty standards. This highlights the ongoing impact of colorism in society and the privileges associated with lighter skin tones.

-Racial Identity and Passing: Irene’s character embodies the struggles and complexities faced by many biracial individuals during the time. By choosing to embrace her Black identity, she highlights the importance of racial pride and community solidarity. Irene is suspicious of Clare’s decision to “pass” as White, as it challenges its authenticity and raises questions about the motivations and consequences of such actions.

The video I have attached is an example of what people go through to this day who pass for an identity that is not theirs:

Colorism in the 1920s

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Passing offers a unique view on colorism. In America today it is obvious that those with a fairer skin tone have a better chance of success and progress. Passing shows that it was not much different in the 1920s. Of course there was blatant racist in the 20s, such as Jack Bellew. The movie seemed to cut out his rampant use of the N-word for the most part, but unfortunately that type of behavior seems to be the norm back then. The issue of colorism is, of course, still racism, but it almost seems to be brushed off in Passing due to how normalized it is.

In today’s landscape colorism is much more known and acknowledged. However, being acknowledged does not equate to it being resolved. Looking at the popular stars of today one would be hard pressed to find anyone at the top who is not fair skinned in some manner. This is by design, and we can see a glimpse into what it was like 100 year ago with Passing.

I think the role that Colorism takes in Passing is so interesting. Irene is a black woman presenting as a black woman while Clare is a black woman passing as a white woman. Even Jack, a man who has a vast hatred for black people, cannot tell that she is even “one or two percent colored” (Pg. 68). It feels as though both Irene and Clare with that they had taken the path that each other had taken in life regarding passing. 

Throughout the story Clare talks about wishing she could present as her true self. Towards the end of the story, Irene directly asks Clare what she would do had Jack found out that Clare was indeed a black woman. “I’d Do what I want to do more than anything else right now. I’d come up here to live. Harlem, I mean. Then I’d be able to do as I please, when I please,” (pg. 197). This helps to show that Clare is not living her best life despite what society would have one think. 

In regards to Irene, it seems as though she wishes that she had taken the route Clare had an lived a life passing as a white woman. Her jealousy is evident. She sees how Brian looks at her, how Hugh views her before finding out she was passing, and how Jack greets her versus Felise when they run into each other. The most prominent example of this is Irene’s disapproval of Brian’s teaching her sons about the ugly truth regarding the black existence in the 1920s. It is unfortunate to see that both characters have chosen a path in life that they are uncomfortable and unfulfilled with.

This YouTube video about the Blue Vein Society gives another example of early America colorism. It shows how not only were white people perpetuating anti-black racism in America, but lighter skinned black people as well.

The Issue of Colorism in Modern America

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“Money’s awfully nice to have. In fact, all things considered, I think ‘Rene, that it’s even worth the price. Irene could only shrug her shoulders. Her reason partly agreed, her instinct wholly rebelled” (p 44).

Clare responds to Irene’s question of why she has chosen to live her life as a white woman. She tells Irene that erasing her true identity was worth the price of getting money/ receiving the benefits of being perceived as only white.

In this quote, we see both sides of the coin of colorism in Larson’s passing. Clare is a black woman so fake that she is able to pass as a white woman and does so completely him order for gain. By gain, I mean monetarily and even in status, since she wouldn’t be subjugated to the racist experience of being a black woman in America. However, since her entire life is built in this one lie, at the discovery of her passing her entire life can crumble away; the risk. Irene finds it confusing and appalling as to why Clare has seemingly denied her race in order to marry a white man yet also participates in the rewarding system colorism has. For example in the beginning she passes as white in order to get into a hotel to cool down because she has the option to do that. Irene butts heads with Brian about overprotecting their two boys about racism. Irene doesn’t want them to know much and keep them oblivious because she hasn’t been subjugated to the same racist experience that her husband Brian has; keep in mind that Brian does not have the option of passing. 

The same rewards for passing off as white in Larson’s passing are seen right now in the modern world. However, now there’s a name for it: Colorism. Colorism often focuses on the prejudice towards people with darker skin but on the flip side, this means there’s a favorability of people with fairer skin. In the black community, there has been an influx of mixed-race children that oftentimes look racially ambiguous or passing. They often speak about how they notice a change in treatment once others know of their blackness. Or even how they’re praised for their skin tone. Down to even hair and how kinky curls are viewed completely differently than loose curls. One is seen as sometimes unprofessional or “exotic” while the other is perceived as pretty. This is not to say that black representation hasn’t been on the rise. But we cannot deny the reality of the bias of lighter skin. 

Here is a 6-minute video explaining how lighter-skinned black women are often the first to break barriers and are the majority of black representation in media. 

“Passing Through Time: Nella Larsen’s ‘Passing’; Resonance in History and Contemporary Culture”

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The complicated issues of racial identity, colorism, and the act of “passing” in early 20th-century America are explored in “Passing,” a 1929 novel by Nella Larsen. Despite being set in a particular historical period, Larsen’s writing has a lasting impact on modern society and culture. To fully explore “Passing” and its parallels to current discussions on identity, authenticity, and the subtleties of social constructions, this blog post will examine the novel’s Intersectionality and historical context of the Harlem Renaissance.

Passing's Black and White Cinematography – IndieWire

Intersectionality is a theme that “Passing” focuses on. The protagonists in Larsen’s works traverse the intricacies of their identities, emphasizing the significance of understanding the multiple oppressive systems that people may experience. Intersectionality is a crucial concept in today’s identity politics talks for comprehending different people or groups’ many challenges and experiences.

“Nevertheless, Irene felt, in turn, anger, scorn, and fear slide over her. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of being a Negro, or even of having it declared. It was the idea of being ejected from any place, even in the polite and tactful way in which the Drayton would probably do it, that disturbed her.” (Larsen 19)

Race Intersectionality

The racial discrimination Irene anticipates or has experienced in the past can be attributed to her resentment and rage. She is aware of the racial bias prevalent in society as a woman of African descent, and her fear of being mistreated due to her race contributes to her emotional response.

Intersectionality of Gender

Irene’s reaction likewise connects with her orientation. Due to societal norms and prejudices, women, particularly women of color, have historically experienced exclusion and restricted access to particular spaces. Irene’s fear of being kicked out of a place demonstrates the intersectional difficulties she faces as a woman and a Black person.

Social Class Intersectionality

The Drayton Hotel’s mention suggests a certain social status and class privilege. Irene’s anxiety about being shot out from the inn uncovers her consciousness of the potential results accompanying her diverse personality. As a working-class African-American lady, she might be more defenseless against rejection because of her race and social status.

African Americans who had light complexion or could pass for white in the 1920s and 1930s occasionally decided to avoid the harsh reality of racial discrimination and get access to better prospects. Despite being a personal choice, this act of passing brought attention to the pervasive structural racism of the period and the limited options accessible to people based on their perceived ethnic identity.

 

By watching this CrashCourse video, we can better comprehend the Harlem Renaissance, its pertinence, and the subjects setting of Nella Larsen’s “Passing.” It sheds light on the artistic movements that shaped the period’s cultural landscape and the novel’s historical context.

Consider the significance of “Passing” and its historical context by drawing an image based on Larsen’s novel. It emphasizes the considerable effects of racial discrimination on the lives of disadvantaged populations and the challenging compromises people had to make in a profoundly unequal society. “Passing” is a moving reminder of the extent individuals went to survive and prosper, revealing the social and cultural constraints that influenced their decisions.

We can better comprehend the ongoing fight for identity, authenticity, and social equality by examining the historical background of passing during the Harlem Renaissance. It encourages us to consider how far our society has come in eradicating racism while acknowledging that the ideas of “Passing” are still relevant today.

What It Means To Have Two Identities: An Exploration Of Double-Consciousness In Nella Larsen’s Passing

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W. E. B. Du Bois introduces double consciousness to address the struggle of African Americans to have an identity. Double consciousness explores how African Americans see themselves and how white people realize them, which leads them to have two different identities. In “Strivings of the Negro People”,  Du Bois writes, “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One feels his two-ness, — an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”

Du Bois, W. E. B. “Strivings of the Negro People.” The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 1897, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1897/08/strivings-of-the-negro-people/305446/.

In Nella Larsen’s Passing, the protagonist Irene is affected by this double consciousness. The fact that she passes as white for convenience reinforces her double identity. Her experiences as a “white” woman and as a black woman are utterly different. The one drop-rule contributed to the identity crisis that many African Americans experienced. This law did not allow mixed-race individuals to identify as mixed. If they had Black ancestry, they were automatically considered Black. In part, the oppressive society dominated by white people was what forced light skin African Americans to pass as white. 

When it comes to Irene, she identifies as Black and is genuinely engaged with the Black community. Even though she identifies as Black, when she is by herself passing as white, she is perceived as “An Italian, a Spaniard, a Mexican, or a gypsy. Never, when she was alone, had they even remotely seemed to suspect that she was a Negro” (Larsen 17). It is evident that she is trying to remain faithful to the Black community but at the same time passing as white is her escape from her normalcy and an opportunity to be an “American” with privileges and not just a “Negro.”

Irene does not only try to stay true to her black culture. At the same time, she is looking at herself “through the eyes of others,” as Du Bois says. She is mostly living up to societal expectations and building a perfectly structured life. Irene’s lifestyle brings us back to the “Cult of true womanhood.” While her husband is in charge of the outside work and being the provider of the family, Irene focuses on taking care of the household and doing charity work. She somewhat accepts white patriarchal capitalist ideas that make women inside the house more feminine than those who are outside working. When she is with the Black community she looks really open-minded, but when she is at home she wants to be the perfect wife and mother and wants her family to do the “right” thing. Her behavior shows a contrast between what she considers herself to be: a Black woman, and how she sees herself “through the eyes of others.” On one side she is proud of her blackness and on the other side, she acts in accordance with the “cult of true womanhood” which is a white standard for women. 

Though Irene clearly has a put-together life in the eyes of others, her interiority reveals her internal battles concerning her race. “She was caught between two allegiances, different, yet the same. Herself. Her race. Race! The thing that bound and suffocated her.” “Irene Redfield wished, for the first time in her life, that she had not been born a Negro. For the first time she suffered and rebelled because she was unable to disregard the burden of race. It was, she cried silently, enough to suffer as a woman, an individual, on one’s account, without having to suffer for the race as well” ( Larsen 101). Irene cannot live freely because she has to protect her family and her middle-class status. On top of that, she feels the need to protect her race as well. Irene wants to be free from the “burden of the race.” Nonetheless, she puts aside her desires and prioritizes her family and the Black community. This allows her to have security in her life but at the same time, she struggles with her identity.

Passing offers us a taste of what it means to be a person of color stuck between two identities. This does not only affect the way one sees themself but also the way one sees others. It is a never-ending battle to belong. 

https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/604306/amber/

This video is an animation that explores the double consciousness that people of color experience. It is also an animation of the article mentioned above “Strivings of the Negro People.”

 

Navigating Shades of Identity: Uncertainty and Duality in a Racially Divided World

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In Nella Larsen’s novel “Passing,”  two light-skinned African American women, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, are at the center of a complex exploration of racial identity, social dynamics, and cultural pressures.

White passing is the phenomena whereby racially non-white people are mistakenly believed to be white because of their physical appearance, thereby enabling them to take advantage of the privileges and benefits that come with being viewed as white in a society that values whiteness.

“Did that woman, could that woman, somehow know that here before her very eyes on the roof of the Drayton sat a Negro ? Absurd! Impossible!White people were so stupid about such things for all that they usually asserted that they were able to tell; and by the most ridiculous means, finger-nails, palms of hands, shapes of ears, teeth, and other equally silly rot . They always took her for an Italian, a Spaniard, a Mexican, or a gipsy. Never, when she was alone, had they even remotely seemed to suspect that she was a Negro. No, the woman sitting there staring at her couldn’t possibly know.Nevertheless, Irene felt, in turn, anger, scorn, and fear slide over her. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of being a Negro, or even of having it declared. It was the idea of being ejected from any place, even in the polite and tactful way in which the Drayton would probably do it, that disturbed her.”(Larsen,pg18-19)

The phrase implies that  the appearance of being white have benefits when it comes to attaining a particular lifestyle. It suggests that persons who enjoy this privilege may take advantage of specific advantages and opportunities without having to acknowledge or admit that they might be rejected or excluded due to their race. Because they are not subject to the same systemic biases and discrimination as people who are overtly non-white, white people with passing privilege can occasionally move through society rather easily.

The experience of living as a white person differs based on personal circumstances and societal factors. Some people actively fight racism while embracing their non-white origin, but other people feel pressure to do the opposite or experience internal difficulties. We can draw a comparison between the book Passing and Fredi Washington. During the time of racial segregation and persecution, African-American actress Fredi Washington refused to pass as white. Washington’s dedication to respect and honor her Black identity  was a key factor of ownership and not accept that was privilage.

This documentary explains how passing for white helped some Black people escape racial oppression and prejudice by enabling them to obtain opportunities and privileges that were otherwise unavailable to them due to their race. Denying one’s blackness, on the other hand, for Fridi Washington meant severing links with her family, her community, and her cultural traditions. This decision upends social conventions that favor whiteness above all else and emphasizes the worth and significance of Black culture, history, and contributions.