Kaylée Ishimwe Mme McSweeney EAE 3U-05 17 April 2024. Title: __________________________________________________________________________________ Several masterpieces written by writers are adapted by directors into cinematic form. This then brings differences, including the way in which the two stories are presented. Viewers would have a different perspective on the story, having less detail, and abstraction from anything that can be found in the book. This is the case with Larsen Nella’s novel, Passing, published in 1929, and Rebecca Hall’s film adaptation, published in 2021. Passing, is about Irene Redfield, a Black woman living in Harlem, who reconnects with her childhood friend, Clare, who pretends to be white. As their friendship gets …show more content…
Moreover, contrary to the film adaptation, Larsen presents us with a different perception of the relationship that Irene has with Clare. In the novel, Larsen portrays Irene's fascination with Clare Bellew's allure as verging on obsession. This is the way that Irene describes Clare: ‘’Just as she had that pale gold hair, which, unsheared still, was drawn loosely back from a broad brow, partly hidden by the small close hat. Her lips, painted a brilliant geranium-red, were sweet and sensitive and a little obstinate. A tempting mouth. The face across the forehead and cheeks was a trifle too wide, but the ivory skin had a peculiar soft lustre. And the eyes are magnificent! dark, sometimes absolutely black, always luminous, and set in long, black lashes. Arresting eyes, slow and mesmeric, and with, for all their warmth, something withdrawn and secret about them’’ (Larsen 45). Irene describes Clare's beauty with a language that contains sexual connotations, such as Clare's mouth as tempting, her lips sweet and a little obstinate, and her dark eyes magnificent, as if she admires her beauty and desires to kiss her. Plus, later in …show more content…
Despite the resemblances, the film adaptation emphasizes a deeper understanding of the uncertain elements present in the novel, such as Irene's racial identity, the different perspective of Irene’s relationship with Clare and Clare’s death. The differences between the novel and its film adaptation provide depth to the story, giving audiences different perspectives and insights. Whether you read or watch it, "Passing" makes you think about the complexity of identity and its societal
I think Tate’s further interpretation of Passing as a story of jealousy, intrigue, and obsession is also very accurate. There are race issues that are brought up, in instances such as Irene worrying about being discovered as a black woman while having tea in the Drayton Hotel, and the language and attitude Clare’s husband has towards black people in general. However, I believe that much of the story is rooted in class issues, also. Clare and her husband Brian are wealthy, they get to travel across Europe, and their
The term "passing" is shorthand for a racial passing which means people of one race passing for another. Nella Larsen's Passing is the story about two light-skinned women, who both have African blood. Clare Kendry is one of them who chooses and succeeds at "passing" and Irene Redfield is one who doesn't. They drive into each other twelve years later in a restaurant and Clare invites Irene to the tea party. The tea party which appears in the beginning of the story plays an important role throughout of the story because Jack Bellew enters the story at that moment. Jack is the white man who has a strong revulsion to African-Americans. He marries Clare, without knowing her secret ancestry. Jack's statements at the tea party lead the main characters' transformation throughout the story and shape the ending as well.
Passing by Nella Larsen was written in 1929 during the height of the Harlem Renaissance movement. The novel focuses on shifting racial boundaries and the pressures of white-dominated society. The term "passing" carries the connotation of being accepted for something one is not. The title of the novel serves as a metaphor for a wide range of deceptive appearances and practices that incorporate sexual, gender, and racial passing. Passing could refer to sexual passing where one disguises their true sexual identity practiced by lesbians and gays in a society. This term can also be related to racial passing which is where a person classified as a member of one racial group (African American) also can be accepted due to appearance as a member of
Published in 1929, Passing by Nella Larsen is a novel that explores the lives of middle class African-Americans in the 1920s. It focuses on two childhood friends Clare and Irene who reconnect later in life to discover that Clare is married to a white man and is ‘passing’ as a white woman, whilst Irene identifies as a black woman and only ‘passes’ when she has too. Race, racism and racial passing are the key themes within Larsen’s text. The reality of racism is also revealed through character John Bellew. A white man with a mind filled with horrible misconceptions, John Bellew is constructed as a discriminatory and racially melancholic man who deems the racially ‘other’ as inferior to that of the white race.
Throughout the novel, crucial family members and friends of the girl that died are meticulously reshaped by her absence. Lindsey, the sister, outgrows her timidity and develops a brave, fearless demeanor, while at the same time she glows with independence. Abigail, the mother, frees herself from the barbed wire that protected her loved ones yet caused her great pain, as well as learns that withdrawing oneself from their role in society may be the most favorable choice. Ruth, the remote friend from school, determines her career that will last a lifetime. and escapes from the dark place that she was drowning in before. Thus, next time one is overcome with grief, they must remember that constructive change is guaranteed to
One of the most obvious themes in both "Passing" and "Recitatiff" is prejudice, social status and the huge role that race plays in the novels. In "Recitatiff" racism is first introduced when Twyla's mom states that the people of Roberta's race "never washed their hair and smelled funny." Mary expressing that to Twyla shows how she was prejudice to the contrary race. Very similar in "Passing" Clare acts prejudice against her own race stating that white society is more superior and that more light-skin women should pass as white. It is stated that Clare lives a very luxurious life along the side of her husband that she likes to make known to most. In many occasions it is interpreted that Clare believes she's better than Irene because of her luxurious
Irene’s desire for Clare is revealed throughout the book, especially in the beginning 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.” (p. 14) She is taken aback by Clare’s beauty, not fully understanding why she is so infatuated with the woman. Irene can’t help but obsess over her beauty, “the eyes that were magnificent! Dark, sometimes absolutely black, always luminous, and set in long, black lashes. Arresting eyes, slow and mesmeric, and with, for all their warmth, something withdrawn and secret about them.” (p. 29) However much Irene is attracted to Clare, she is somewhat disgusted by her confidence. She sees Clare’s “odd sort of smile…a shade too provocative for a waiter.” (p. 15) Irene, being more restrained in her sexuality, is somewhat of a hypocrite in this sense. She desires Clare in a physical way, yet hates her for her ability to use her beauty so well. This show...
In the novel, Passing, Nella Larsen presents two women, Clare and Irene who originate from the black community; however still yearn for an assured identity for themselves. Clare and Irene are childhood friends who even though being part black, are able to pass as white folk. Irene continues to be part of the black community and is considered a black woman, however this is on a superficial level. When it comes to her advantage, Irene occasionally passes as white. Clare on the other hand passes as a white woman; her lifestyle changed completely as to white standards and in. Although both women are in a dilemma regarding their true racial identity, they both wish to live as both black and white. Throughout the book, both women attempt to achieve an integrated identity, however fail do to so. Their failure in attempting to live a life both as black suggests and supports the idea that a person can only have one race as either black or white, not both.
Nella Larsen 's ' novel "Passing" introduces two dissimilar experiences of "crossing" the race line by two African-American women. With an accomplished and engaging plan, Larson is able to deal with subjects such as sexuality, identity, race, and class division with the use of wit and allegory. Passing is a moving, emotional story, describing the struggles experienced by both Irene and Claire in their fight to support and defend their own race and endure polite society. All these social issues and problems seem to culminate in the end of the question; is what the person you are inside, defined by your race on the outside?
Identity is a mirror of image constructed by society. Identity is an individual only and true form of self. Individuals, such as mixed race biracial people who do not easily fall into a race category are forced to choose which side of the color line they are willing to exist. The reality of racism for these biracial people become diminished with the term “Passing”. Passing refers to the ability of a member of one social group to be accepted as a member of another, such a different ethnicity, race, gender, social class, and age, typically with the purpose of being accepted. "Passing," is evidnet in Nella Larsen's “Passing” and Carl Van Vetchen “Nigger Heaven”, it alludes to crossing of the color line and performing to race norms. Nella Larsen's Passing, addresses this issue of skin color and performing through the character of Clare Kendry, whom was an atrractive mulatto who manages to escape poverty by passing for being a white women. She marries a wealthy white man who also believes that she is white as well. Her journey across the color line is completely sucessful until her association with people of color and her tragic end. Simiarily, Carl Van Vetchen's Nigger Heaven, reiterates the same issue of passing and performing with the charactger Dick Sill, who understand as a mixed biracial man, the advantages of passing in a racist american society.Both Clare Kendry and Dick Sill are proponent of passing, however with such choice both seem conflicted with the dilema of living detached from their racial or cultural identity.
Nella Larsen's Passing tells the story of the reconnection of two childhood friends whose lives take divergent paths. Through these characters Larsen weaves together a cautionary tale about the consequences of living a double life, and the harm associated with internalized racism. Through Clair and Irene, Larsen conveys to readers the consequences of desiring to live life as a bicultural individual during the early 20th century. Claire represents the archetypical character known as the tragic mulatto, as she brings tragedy to all those she encounters. Irene represents someone grappling with internalized racism; catalyzed by Claire's reentrance into her life. Larsen juxtaposes the two characters to demonstrate the inescapability of social regulations. Clare attempts to escape the social barriers placed upon African-Americans, and she does, but not without consequence. Through diction, tone, and imagery Larsen makes it luminous to readers that "passing" may seem glamorous, however, the sacrifice one makes to do so is not without consequences for themselves and those they care about.
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.
Their deviant behavior arises from the concept that opposing communities often enforce rigid expectations about how one should live and portray themselves. While Hooper adds his symbolic layer, Clare peels hers away, yet their relationship in imagery continues to their respective deaths. As Clare transforms her identity to be white, she perishes in the pale snow; as Hooper’s identity becomes the black veil, his demise is sealed in a dark coffin. Although societal impacts help display the ultimate danger of changing identity, they are not the only example of the consequences. Hooper’s sudden shift in identity is not without its own relational consequences.
The concept of passing stands for “racial passing,” when members of one race pass for another. In Baz Dreisinger’s article, “Near Black,” the author creatively addresses the ongoing struggle of African-Americans passing in society, shedding cultural identity in order to match a social status. Throughout history, many individuals attempted to pass as members of a higher social status or as though they belonged to a different race, or even as those with a higher education. The most common trend of racial passing could be dated far before the epoch of Martin Luther King Jr. While African-Americans pursued passing as white individuals to escape slavery, other individuals wanted to be accepted into society.
Readers have to look at characters and their actions in order to reach the true heart of the story. Throughout the novel Edna Pontellier is searching for her identity through different actions