Introduction
Passing is the ability of an individual to exist in a different social class, such as race, ethnicity, social group, and gender, to gain social acceptance. The term appeared in the United States in the 1920s and described mixed-race people who referred to themselves as white when legal and social conventions classified the person as black (Abida 4). In Passing, Nella Larsen’s book, she depicts two biracial women who use their identities to seek acceptance from society. Their names are Clare and Irene, and they primarily try to navigate through life with the aim of “passing” as white. Larsen describes how racial and gender identities are a significant part of the two women’s lives since they are inherent.
People’s race or gender often mean much in American society. However, some people do not refer to themselves by gender or race on most occasions. Clare and Irene are the most appropriate characters for the literary analysis of the freedom and identity themes as they believe they are free to change their identities to enable them to experience different sides of life. This research paper describes how Irene’s and Clare’s roles in the novel reflect themes of racial identity, motherhood, security, and freedom. Although the characters’ views on such vital matters as motherhood differ, they both want to be free women, which is challenging since the American society has established its own rules related to race and freedom.
The Theme of Racial Identity
Irene and Clare are of similar racial heritage but portray different identities. Irene waits in the rooftop café where she passes as white in one of the opening scenes. The woman believes staying in such a space will give her the privilege of being seen as white and the services Irene desires as a white woman. According to O’Sullivan, Irene feels that it is difficult for white individuals to tell that she is a negro (6). This scene shows how the narrator explores the nature of race as an active force of identity for black individuals who have lighter skin.
In American society, the aspect of being a mixed-race individual is often not taken into consideration. People shun others who are confident they are mixed-race by saying there is only one identity, and on most occasions, they are grouped as black. This reaction inflicts people’s sudden and increasing urge to prove themselves as being white or black. Many people find it challenging to balance the two identities and choose one that can allow them to express themselves freely. However, when one chooses one identity over another, they often feel trapped and may find themselves trying to use two identities on different occasions. For example, Irene uses her white identity to acquire benefits that she feels she might not get when using her black identity. In the pretense of being white, Clare marries a white man but still feels trapped and wants to reclaim her black identity. In other words, choosing one identity over another brings no actual benefit to her.
Nevertheless, the need to be identified as white or black is not often beneficial since one must bear the consequences. Clare takes up the charade of being white and gets married to a white man in order to fit in that society. She tells Irene that she knew she would pass because her skin had a lighter color compared to other black people. Thus, her only focus was to pass as white without thinking of the repercussions. She finds herself married to a man who is a racist and does not like the responsibilities that come with motherhood. On the first meeting with Irene, her husband john calls Clare a “nig” since he sees her skin as a bit dark (Larsen 42). The term does not shake Clare since being white to her is like living the best life.
Additionally, Clare has the money and higher social standards that other black people do not have. She feels satisfied with the riches and thinks she is in a much better place than Irene. She further questions Irene why mixed-race women cannot find it easy to forgo their black identity to become white. According to Abida, Clare is the character who conflicts with her general identity (5). She is of a mixed race but prefers to be white rather than black. Irene and Clare continuously transgress and unwind through the notion of race as binary by alternating between what race they want to be associated with by society.
Irene disagrees with the ways white people assume that they can tell the difference between black and white people’s color just by looking at them. She says they are fooling themselves since back heritage does not more often correlate to the stereotypical images they believe. In this statement, Irene contradicts herself since when she first met Clare, she also used her own beliefs by identifying her as black. According to Abida, “Clare appeared to have those dark almost black eyes against the ivory of her skin” (9). Thus, the question arises of why Irene points out others as black but does not like being called a negro.
The Theme of Motherhood and Security
Irene and Clare are both parents, but their view of motherhood differs, with each having their own beliefs. Irene sees parenthood as a secure phase of life and a significant element of her identity. She believes that parenthood gives her a purpose in living and is a way of planning her life. Irene tells Clare, “I know very well that I take being a mother rather seriously” (Larsen 240). She believes being a mother is everything, and her life is grounded on it. Through Irene, Larsen shows readers the traditional aspect of being a mother.
Irene associates motherhood with the idea that it brings her security by acting as insurance to her husband not leaving her. Even when she fights with her husband, she consistently backs up her role of being her mother for Brian not to go. Additionally, Irene believes that her leading role as a parent is to offer safety to her children and keep them from strenuous activities such as those of racism in the outside world. She claims that she wants her children to be contended and free from the ideas of racism. On the other hand, Clare provides a different representation of motherhood than Irene. The woman believes motherhood is not an essential part of her identity. In her dialogue with Kendy, Clare says that “children aren’t everything” (Larsen 96). Clare believes that motherhood is not everything and that one should focus on exploring other things they may find meaningful.
Larsen portrays Clare as a character who does not see motherhood as an essential aspect of life. In most scenes, Clare is often talking about her identity, and when Irene is discussing parental issues, she seems not to understand anything. Irene tells her about her love for children and is often caught up with activities in her home. She tells her that children are not everything and that there is more to life than just being a mother. Clare resents motherhood and feels that it prevents one from experiencing life. Margery, a daughter she has with her husband John, is of little importance to her. The woman sends her to a boarding school to exclude herself from having to look after her. She resents her and believes that she is the cause of her not being able to depart from John.
Clare wants to go back to being a member of the black community but is unable to do so since she has a child. Clare tells Irene of her plans to leave John, but she advises her not to do so because of her daughter Margery. In response to Irene’s statement, Clare declares that “being a mother is the cruelest thing in the world” (Larsen 79). She views motherhood as a restraint and lack of freedom conflicting with Irene’s belief that motherhood is security and a great responsibility that structures a mother’s life.
Theme of Freedom
Freedom in America exists in various ways, but, in most cases, being a white man is the main gate pass to being termed as free. According to O’Sullivan, masculinity and white norms make it almost impossible for black women to refer to themselves as free individuals (3). The main reason is that society works towards maintaining the dominance and social ranking that aligns with the set norms. In the novel, Larsen provides readers with the existing idea of feminism. Irene’s character sees that her way of attaining social security is only through motherhood. Another character, Clare, marries a wealthy family to achieve freedom and does not believe motherhood offers social security. It reflects how the character, although using different means, aspire to be free in a world where masculinity and being white is the driving force toward black women attaining freedom. The freedom concept is reflected by Irene and Clare, who feel there is a need to identify themselves with a race that satisfies their needs and expectations. Both characters depict conflicting ways of expressing their racial identity of being free in American society.
Irene’s ideas of passing are not based on being identified as negro or white but on the mixture of the two. In the first sequence, she is uncomfortable passing as white for fear of being caught but does since she believes it is necessary. Irene takes it upon herself to be free in whatever situation she is in since she thinks she needs to carry on with her actions. Clare wants to pass as white and black because she is free to do so. According to Abida, Clare wants to be free to express herself as a negro and as an American without being called names and being limited to accessing available opportunities (7). According to her, there is no right or wrong identity so long as one feels free. She becomes a part of a wealthy family and endures living with a racist husband, which allows her to acquire much freedom and opportunity.
However, the freedom that comes with passing as white costs Clare much. First, she has to go through a violent marriage with a racist husband. Clare finds it challenging to balance the freedom of being white and black since she cannot explore both sides. Irene dislikes Clare’s way of ignoring her black identity by bitterly saying that Clare does not care for her race and only belongs to it through words (O’Sullivan 7). Larsen narrates how Clare and Irene are denying themselves other than their heritage. When Clare meets up with Irene, she seems so happy and free among black people and no longer pretends to be white. This aspect shows that Clare is not satisfied with her life of being white and prefers living around black people.
Conclusion
The novel Passing by Nella Larsen depicts two women with different views but the same desire: to live freely, which is difficult due to cruel standards of race and freedom established in American society. The racial identity of Irene and Clare shapes their lives, making them choose one identity over the other. Larsen explores identity performances through their shortcomings and benefits on the character’s race, gender, and sexuality. Through their preferred ways of identifying themselves as white or black, Irene and Clare face life without knowing what the future holds. They use their false identities to go through life and are determined to acquire what they want. Irene and Clare are on conflicting grounds about motherhood and the social security that comes it brings. Irene believes motherhood offers her social security and structures her life, but Clare states that motherhood is a challenge and a restart to individuals’ life. In terms of aiming to achieve freedom, the characters use different ways to ensure they acquire it. Irene uses traditional norm motherhood, which she believes offers her social security and independence, while Clare uses social and economic standards to attain liberation.
Works Cited
Abida, Jumua Begum. “Double or Dual-Natured? Consciousness and Race in Nella Larsen’s Passing.” Wonderer Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, 2020, pp. 27-39.
Larsen, Nella. Passing. Penguin Publishing Group, 2021.
O’Sullivan, Honor. Black Motherhood and Freedom in Nella Larsen’s Passing. Oregon State University, 2020.