Passing By Anne Larsen: Summary

The Harlem Renaissance, the period in which Passing takes place, was an era of great social and artistic development for African Americans. As a result of this, themes of cultural and social issues such as race and identity are frequently explored. However, the complex relationship between Irene and Clare makes sexual desire and jealousy the central theme in Larsen’s narrative. Irene and Clare are both extremely light skinned African-American, which allows them both to pass as white. While Clare is very bold in her passing and has hidden all traces of her African American roots, Irene holds a strong loyalty to her people. Although she passes as white on occasion, she finds Clare’s passing extremely problematic and despicable. Throughout the book Irene attempts to keep Clare at a distance, but fails to do so as she holds for her “a fascination, strange and compelling” (Larsen 28). Irene’s desire for Clare is first revealed in the beginning of the book when she is at the Drayton Hotel. She sees "an attractive-looking young woman... with those dark, almost black, eyes and that wide mouth like a scarlet flower against the ivory of her skin” (Larsen 14). She is mesmerized by Clare’s beauty, in confusion as to why she is so bewitched by her. Throughout the book, Irene obsessively thinks about Clare’s …show more content…
While eating with her husband Brian she says, “It’s funny about ‘passing.’ We disapprove of it and at the same time condone it. It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. Why shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it” (Larsen 54). When saying ‘we’ she could be referring to her conflicted feelings on the matter. Irene often expresses her disapproval of passing, but passes herself. She is so set on hating Clare for passing, but still finds her boldness compelling. Irene swears loyalty to her people, but still enjoys passing in certain