Summary Of Nella Larsen's Passing

African American History

Professor Epps

Book Report: Due 10/27/10

Passing: Not Only a Racial Issue

In Nella Larsen’s Passing, we get to see the dynamics of the friendship Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry share. Irene presents herself as a wealthy, well educated, sophisticated woman and a respected member of the Harlem community. She is married to a wealthy black doctor, has two children, and a perfect life. Nothing could mess that up. On the other hand, we learn about Clare Kendry through the eyes of Irene. Clare Kendry is the character who seems to stroll undisturbed back and forth across the color line. Irene describes Clare as traitor to her people (the Harlem society) and socially undesirable due to the fact that
she passes as white and marries a white man. Although Irene expresses her great disdain for Clare, she also possesses a profound admiration for her. This “admiration” could also be translated into sexual desire or lust. As the book goes on, Irene attempts to rationalize her inexplicable feelings toward Clare Kendry, but she cannot seem to. To Irene, “security was the most important and desired thing in life.” (200) Her mysterious feelings of adoration for Clare threatened her feeling of security, and that made Irene despise Clare. This is probably because Irene would rather maintain a strict perimeter around her sexuality and in adhering to expectations of femininity. Sometimes before one attempts to address the questions and problems of racial identity, they first have to consider equally important questions of gender and sexual identity. While it is true that Clare is passing throughout the story, Irene is passing as well. As a Negro, Clare must “pass” to gain security in a white world and all its wonders. But we see that by the same token Irene, who is questioning her sexuality, must “pass” in order to gain security in a heterosexual society.

Until Clare arrives on the scene of Irene’s life Irene is a “secure” woman.
She busies herself with social activities and the raising of her two boys (148). Nevertheless, something is terribly wrong. Irene’s perfect world is shaken while en route to the printing shop. Irene begins to voice her concerns about “queer ideas” (sex jokes) that the boys had been coming up with (105). “If sex isn”t a joke, what is it,” Brian [her husband] answers (105). He goes on to say “the sooner and more he (their son) learns about sex, the better for him.....it will keep him from lots of disappointments later on” (105). We see with Brian’s response to her question that to him, sex is a joke. His statement indicates to us that his sex life with Irene is a huge joke. As we later learn in the book, Brian and Irene have a “sexless marriage” and that Brian “slept in his room next to hers at night” (179). This confirms Irene and Brian’s lack of a sexual relationship. In Passing, sex is a point of contention for everyone in the story. Sex is a forbidden and terrifying thing for young ladies in the book who are passing. In Clare’s case, there is fear. Fear that a black child may be conceived and her secret may be revealed. For Irene, sex is risky. She has set up such a perfect lifestyle with her husband and two kids that another child could threaten to ruin that. For Irene, her marriage is one of convenience, providing her with what she needs and values the most, security (200). It also
provides her, as someone questioning her sexual identity, the ability to “pass” in the heterosexual world.

“Irene didn’t like changes, particularly changes that affected the smooth routine of her household” (103). We see that Irene is a very structured and organized type of woman. She is frequently working to maintain stability and security in her life. Still, she is extremely attracted to Clare, one who does not seem to regard security at all. Clare is carefree. Clare is risk taker, assertive, self-confident, daring, bold, courageous and ever so dangerous, yet strangely alluring. In the beginning of the book when Irene first encounters Clare at the Drayton, she describes her with extremely sensual imagery. Irene’s descriptions of Clare are far more than mere observations. Clare’s “arresting eyes” were “mysterious and concealing” (45-46). Her lips were “sweet and sensitive...a tempting mouth” (45). “Yes, Clare Kendry’s loveliness was absolute, beyond challenge...” (46). Irene’s longing for Clare is extremely vivid in her depiction of the “lovely creature.” When Irene is about to leave Clare at the Drayton, it seems to her “a dreadful thing to think of never seeing Clare Kendry again” (47). Irene is entranced by Clare, not only by her physical beauty, but also by her mysterious charm. As Irene becomes aware of her intense desire for Clare, she tries to rationalize her feelings. “Away from the seduction of Clare Kendry’s smile,” Irene becomes quite irritated with herself because she had given in to Clare’s request that they meet again (48). Irene wonders “just what had possessed her to make her promise to find time, in the crowed days that remained of her visit” to spend with Clare (48). Whether she admits it or not, Irene is aware of her feelings for Clare, and she is perturbed at herself for having them, not only because they go against the heterosexual culture, but more importantly because they threaten her security.

As Clare becomes more involved with Irene and her family, we learn of Clare’s longing to cross the color line back into Harlem (black) society.
Her daughter, Margery, is the only thing holding her back from doing so. In the meantime, Brian and Clare’s relationship continues to develop. But as this happens Irene starts to realize that if Clare were free of Mr. John Bellew, she might pursue Brian. What “if he divorced her--if Claire were free--?” (187). This thought terrifies Irene to her core, slightly in part because she might lose Brian to Claire, but more importantly she would lose her valued security. This was not going to work. Irene could not allow this to happen. She must defend her security at any cost. Then Irene thought “If Clare should die! Then-Oh, it was vile! But the thought stayed with her. She could not get rid of it “(187). This confirms Irene’s secret desire to have Clare dead. Although Irene despises the thought, her own security is more important than Clare’s life. It is not clear what happened at the window, but from Irene’s reaction, it is safe to conclude that Clare did not fall on her own. “Irene was not sorry” (210). It would seem that Irene is responsible for Clare’s
death.

In conclusion, Nella Larsen’s Passing, presents several ideas to consider. She uses the setting of Harlem and the racial concerns, not as ends in themselves, but as catalysts through which she exposes the underlying themes of sexual identity and desire. Indeed, just as Clare must “pass” as white, Irene must “pass” as a heterosexual woman. If we analyze Larsen’s Passing without first seeking its sexual aspects and rely solely on racial issues to discern its meaning, then an important aspect of the novel remains unknown.