Nella Larsen Passing

According to Psychology Today, Jealousy is usually regarded as the emotional reaction to a threat to one’s relationship with a real or imagined romantic rival. In the short story Passing by Nella Larsen, the aforementioned description can be attributed to the story’s main protagonist. Within the story, Irene Redfield develops feelings of jealousy towards her friend Clare Kendry. Although the two women are initially close, the relationship between the two is severed when Irene starts to believe Clare is having an affair with her husband. At the conclusion of the novel, we find Clare Kendry dead by what we can assume to be Irene's hands. One can interpret Irene's murder as a personification of the inherent similarities between Irene and Clare. Not only does

Nella Larsen utilize Clare's murder to convey parallel in the two's characterization, but also as a way of revealing the foreshadowed climax.
During part three of Passing titled, “Finale” Irene harbors feelings of resentment as a result of her jealousy towards Clare. It is important to note that a “Finale” signifies the closing or termination of something. With this notion in mind, Clare’s death would likely signify the end of her affair with Irene’s husband. Obviously, Clare would not commit suicide because she would be unable to fulfill her desire to live as she pleased. Regardless of Clare’s propensity for danger, she is never characterized as one who gives up. When Clare wanted to get in contact with Irene she relentlessly calls and writes her. Another example of Clare's determination is when Irene recalls a description of childhood Clare. She states, “ [D]riven to anger, she would fight with a ferocity and impetuousness that disregarded or forgot any danger; superior strength, numbers, or other unfavourable circumstances.” (Larsen 1082) Moreover, Mr. Bellew, Clare’s husband had little motive to kill Clare besides his hate for Negros. He rarely spent time with Clare and when he discovered Irene was a Negro he was still tolerant enough to offer her a hand to help in recovering her balance.
Whereas Irene provides numerous thoughts at her displeasure with Clare. She mentions before the running into Mr. Bellew, “Nevertheless, her weakness, her shrinking, her own inability to compass the thing, did not prevent her from wishing fervently that. In some way with which she had no concern, John Bellew would discover, not that his wife had a touch of the tar-brush — Irene didn't want that — but that she was spending all the time that he was out of the city In black Harlem. Only that. It would be enough to rid her forever Clare Kendry.” (Larsen 1130) Another example that may lead the audience to conclude Irene Killed Clare was when Mr. Bellow comes to Felise’s party to find out if Clare is there. Larsen writes, “She seemed unaware of any danger or uncaring. There was even a faint smile on her full, red lips, and in her shining eyes. It was that smile that maddened Irene. She ran across the room, her terror tinged with ferocity, and laid a hand on Clare's bare arm. One thought possessed her. She couldn't have Clare Kendry cast aside by Bellew. She couldn't have her free... What happened next, Irene Redfield never afterwards allowed herself to remember. Never clearly.” (Larsen 1138) During this point in the story, Clare plummets to her death and Irene apparently unable to give an accurate description only provides the audience thoughts of her anger with Clare. All through the story, Irene does not act because she is inhibited by her thoughts, however, when someone consumes alcohol her thoughts become disassociated with her body. Ironically, at the same time, this happens Clare winds up dead. Though Irene has held her tongue throughout the novel her actions prevail. The feelings Irene projects onto Clare possessing selfishness, subtle malice and a desire to get what she wants is demonstrated by the actions of the Irene. Once Clare is dead Irene seems unregretful and even considers the thought of Clare’s mutilated body as “glorious”. Larsen uses this climax not only to warn her audience of the dangers of jealousy but also to evoke the underlying analogous personality of two characters.
Throughout the story, Larsen perpetually presents the audience with clues leading to the murder of Clare Kendry in order to create a suspenseful climax.In fact, the first example of this is when Irene begins to reminisce about her friend after receiving her letter. Irene thinks, "This, she reflected, was of a piece with all that she knew of Clare Kendry. Stepping always on the edge of danger. Always aware, but not drawing back or turning aside. Certainly not because of any alarms or feeling of outrage on the part of others." (Larsen 1081) Despite, Irene using this phrase to depict Clare the phrase can also be used to foreshadow her death. The inclusion of this portrayal acts as Larsen’s, incorporation of Chekhov's gun. By the end of the novel, this is very much the scenario in which Clare finds herself. She is standing next to an unguarded window unaffected by the anger of her husband or Irene. Early on Irene understands Clare’s affinity for danger and she uses this implicit alibi to her advantage when Clare suddenly falls out the window. Another example of foreshadowing used is when Irene acknowledges, “The trouble with Clare was, not only that she wanted to have her cake and eat it too, but that she wanted to nibble at the cakes of other folk as well.” (Larsen 1104) Irene’s thoughts suggest that Clare is willing to take the belongings of others even though she herself has something of similar value. Applying this Irene’s conception of Clare to the reading signifies Clare’s latent desire to want an aspect of Irene’s life. Larsen furthers this idea through the actions of Clare after the Negro Welfare League dance. Clare, without Irene knowing shows up unannounced and even goes out to parties with Irene’s husband. Not to mention Larsen writes, “But undistinctive as the dance had seemed, it was, nevertheless, Important. For It marked the beginning of a new factor In Irene Redfield's life, something that left its trace on all the future years of her existence. It was the beginning of a new friendship with Clare Kendry.” (Larsen 1120) What more can be said to illustrate the changing attitude of Irene? The new friendship with Clare later turns into resentment and Irene commits a crime she will have to carry with her forever. One of the last hints included signifying Clare's death is the closing dialogue in part two. The text reads,

“Clare, suddenly very sober and sweet,
said: "You're right. It's no laughing matter.
It's shameful of me to tease you, 'Rene. You are
so good." And she reached out and gave Irene's
hand an affectionate little squeeze. Don't
think," she added, Whatever happens, that
I'll ever forget how good you've been to me."
"Nonsense!"
"Oh, but you have, you have.

It's just

that I haven't any proper morals or sense of

duty, as you have, that makes me act as I do."

"Now you are talking nonsense."

"But it's true, 'Rene. Can't you realize

that I'm not like you a bit? Why, to get the

things I want badly enough, I'd do anything,

hurt anybody, throw anything away. Really,

'Rene, I'm not safe." Her voice as well as the

look on her face had a beseeching earnestness

that made Irene vaguely uncomfortable. (Larsen 1122)

This excerpt does not only convey the thoughts of resolve regarding Clare but also highlights in actuality the true nature of both characters.

The message of Passing by Nella Larsen can best be expressed with the summary of sonnet 58 written by William Shakespeare. Irene was controlled by the will of Clare. Clare was essentially able to do as she pleased with whom she pleased while Irene idly watched. Seemingly, infatuated with and tortured by her friend. However Irene is able to work up to courage to rid her of her strife through murder Unlike Shakespeare, Nella Larsen brings into play elements of jealousy that ultimately contribute to the definition of both characters and builds suspense onto Irene’s

murder.