Ambiguity In Nella Larsen's Passing

In the second section of Nella Larsen’s Passing, the reader sees Irene’s discontent for Clare grow stronger by the more time she spends with Clare. Throughout the first section of the novel, Irene wants to separate herself from Clare, but she keeps getting pulled back in by her charm. Throughout the second section, the same thing is happening, but it happens much more rapidly and Irene grows more passionate about removing Clare from her life more than in the first second. The ambiguity of the novel increases during the second half considering a potential affair between Clare and Brian, Clare’s involvement in the Redfield’s lives and Harlem community, and Clare’s death. It is up to interpretation whether Clare and Brian had an affair based on the ambiguity of the text, but the text is fairly clear in insisting that Irene felt that Clare and Brian could be having an affair. Irene notices the changes in her husband, especially, his attitude towards her and his sons. Irene mentions how it is the first time she has not been able to understand Brian’s expressions and what caused them, this leads Irene to assume there is an affair. The affair is ambiguous itself because it is not clearly stated, but Larsen hints at it, especially considering Clare’s daring and flirtatious nature.

I think it is possible that Clare was wanting to take Irene’s position in Brian’s life, it appears as if she has more attachment and relationship to Junior and Ted more so than her own daughter, Margery. It is all up to interpretation, but Clare seemed to enjoy spending a lot of time with Irene’s son and husband and consistently persisted to get back in Irene’s life despite the numerous attempts Irene made at cutting her