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 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
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