The Following Passage From Passing By Nella Larsen

In the passage from Passing, by Nella Larsen, Clare attempts to compensate for her guilt by warning Irene about the affair that she is having with Irene’s husband. When Clare ties to warn Irene, Clare does it in the most ambiguous way and does not distinctly communicate anything. Clare tries to show Irene her dislike towards settling down with a family. When Irene reminds Clare to “think how glad you’ll be to see [Margery] after all this time,” Clare states “children aren't everything.” Clare intends for Irene to realize she does not care for settling down and having a family, thus leading her to have an affair. Irene unintendedly becomes slightly offended, because she thinks that Clare is saying something about her. Irene, who “take[s]