The Novella "Passing"

Exploring Racial Identity in Nella Larsen's "Passing"

Nella Larsen's novella "Passing" examines the nuanced and often perilous navigation of racial identity in the United States during the 1920s. The narrative follows two mixed-race African American women, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, who can "pass" as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line. Set amidst the cultural revival of the Harlem Renaissance, the novella is structured into three distinct sections—"Encounter," "Re-Encounter," and "Finale"—each unraveling the complexities of the protagonists' lives and the societal pressures they face. Larsen, who was of mixed heritage herself, provides a personal and critical look at the concept of passing and its implications on individual identity and community dynamics.

The Protagonist's Struggle with Racial Ambiguity

The central character, Irene Redfield, embodies the internal conflict of a biracial individual who occasionally passes as white to access certain privileges, yet maintains a strong identification with her African American community. The story begins with Irene's unexpected reunion with her childhood acquaintance, Clare Kendry, who has chosen to live her life fully passing as white, hiding her racial background from her racist white husband, John Bellew. The encounter in a Chicago hotel, where Bellew openly expresses his bigotry, unaware of his wife's and Irene's true racial heritage, sets the stage for an exploration of the psychological strain and societal dilemmas that come with the decision to pass.

The Impact of Clare's Return on Irene's Life

The narrative tension escalates in the "Re-Encounter" section when Clare reinserts herself into Irene's life and social circle in New York City. Despite initial reservations, Irene finds Clare becoming an integral part of her social engagements, including the "Negro Welfare League" dance. Concurrently, Irene's husband, Brian, voices his frustration with the pervasive racism in America and his wish to relocate to Brazil, a country he perceives as more racially tolerant. Clare's increasing involvement with Irene's family and friends stirs suspicion and jealousy in Irene, who fears an affair between Clare and Brian, exacerbating the emotional turmoil within the Redfield household.

The Ambiguous Tragedy of Clare's Demise

The novella reaches a dramatic conclusion in the "Finale," where the accumulated tensions and suspicions surrounding Clare's identity and her relationship with the Redfields lead to a catastrophic event. During a social gathering, after a tense confrontation with her husband who has discovered her racial deception, Clare falls to her death from an apartment window. The ambiguity surrounding her death—whether it was accidental, a suicide, or influenced by Irene's actions—leaves the reader pondering the profound implications of Clare's choices and the societal constraints that may have contributed to her fate. This tragic end serves as a stark commentary on the psychological cost and inherent dangers of living a life of passing.

Character Dynamics Against the Backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance

"Passing" features characters that offer diverse perspectives on race, identity, and societal expectations. Irene Redfield is portrayed as a woman of complexity, grappling with her own racial identity while enjoying the stability of her middle-class life. Clare Kendry emerges as a tragic figure, whose yearning to transcend racial barriers ultimately leads to her demise. The setting of the novella, which transitions from Chicago to the vibrant streets of Harlem during the Renaissance, provides a vivid cultural landscape that enriches the narrative. This historical context underscores the richness of African American culture and the harsh reality of racial segregation during the period.

Dissecting the Themes of Race and Identity

Through the contrasting journeys of Irene and Clare, "Passing" interrogates the fluidity of racial identity and the social construction of race. The novella challenges the rigid segregationist norms and the "one-drop" rule, which classified anyone with any African ancestry as Black, regardless of appearance. Larsen's work is a psychological exploration of the internal struggles faced by those of mixed race and the external pressures that inform their sense of self. The tragic conclusion of the story highlights the devastating effects of denying one's racial heritage in a society deeply divided by racial lines.