Summary Of Nella Larsen's Passing

“Passing” by Nella Larsen takes place in 1929, during the Harlem Renaissance movement, also referred to as the “New Negro Movement”. Although African Americans more openly expressed themselves through art, literature, and music, racial discrimination was still a present issue. The communal struggle of inferiority generated a union between African Americans and unified their race. Clare Kendry’s own connection to her race was repressed for the majority of her life. Clare’s upbringing was filled with abuse and racial discrimination from blood relatives that greatly affected her view on life. Slavery had ended over 50 years prior, yet her white aunts treated her like a slave. They deprived her of the treatment and belongings she desired
Their loveless marriage is deprived of sex, which Irene seems more bothered by than Brian. Reflecting on her relationship with Brian, Irene confesses, “Brian doesn’t care for ladies…” although she sometimes wishes he does (42). In addition to their lack of sexual attraction towards one another, Irene often uses “queer” in association with her husband, hinting at Brian’s own homosexual desire. Brian openly holds a negative attitude toward heterosexuality and social conventions of heteronormative relationships (marriages). Talk about his view on Junior (page 60). It would be juvenile not to notice the relationship between Brian and Junior. Junior, his son, symbolizes himself in numerous ways. For one, the name itself represents a bond of unity between the two, genetically, and in this case, emotionally. Throughout the novel, the reader understands Brian’s strong desire to escape from racial discrimination in Harlem and retreat to a safe place in Brazil that harbors acceptance among racial relations. Although Brazil does provides the opportunity to integrate into a society filled with racial acceptance, it is incompetent to take his desire at surface level without examining the potential homoerotic motivation pulling Brian toward