Passing Nella Larsen Analysis

Nella Larsen’s book Passing is a based on the premise of women who are classified as a member of one racial group(Black/African American) though accepted as a member of a different racial group(White American). These women “pass” as White Americans and don't claim their black identity. One of the main characters, Claire, claims as a White wife and mother separating her relationships within the black community as she is introduced as a woman who is passing. Irene, another lead character in the book who represents Claire's childhood friend. Associates with the black community and doesn't pass while identifying as Black. She becomes a key factor when she's voicing her continued conflicting views on the idea of passing.
Despite the vague ending, it's obvious that Irene was Claire's cause of death. The death scene follows an intense conversation that doesn't last too long but trails on the mysterious act of Claire being "gone!"(pg111). Irene is one to blame for Claire's death because of the continued dilemma in her own head. Previously she replayed the factors of how her thoughts tend to ponder and just sit there "She must not
always aware, but not drawing back or turning aside" (Larsen 1) Along with the hardships of being openly black women, fast forwarding to the night of Claire's death, at that time Clare’s husband comes into the party loudly and obnoxiously. He confronts Claire on being black when he yells “So you’re a damned dirty nigger!” (Larsen 111). Finding it ironic with Claire's reaction of “a faint smile” (Larsen 111). Driving Irene to a boiling point “run[ning] across the room towards Clare (Larsen 111) In Irene's mind all she wanted to do was save Claire from the exploitation john(jack) Bellows “she couldn’t have Clare Kendry cast aside”(Larsen 111) Taking matters into her own hands