Nella Larsen's Passing Theme

This essay will focus on how the novel Passing by Nella Larsen engages with the theme identity. Before proceeding, it is worth defining identity in order to understand how that definition does and does not work in the analysis of Passing. According to the Oxford dictionary, identity means ‘the fact of being who or what a person or thing is’, it is ‘the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is’. A person retains a sense of self identity, or a sense that they belong in a culture or people. The characters in Passing do not adhere to this definition. Larsen explores the complex issue of racial identity and identification in her novel Passing. The novel not only refers to the sociological occurrence of blacks passing as white peoples, but it signifies the loss of racial identity. Even though they are trying to tolerate identities appointed to them by society, they have lost a sense of belonging; they are detached and isolated from their race. With the abrupt ending of the two protagonists failing, Larsen illustrates that ‘passing’, while useful in order to gain acceptance, ultimately limits a person’s independence to the extent of death.

Nella Larsen was the daughter of a white Danish mother and a black West Indian father. Her father died when she was an early age and her mother remarried a white man. Henceforth on, she was the only black member of an otherwise white family and struggled with identity herself. Little is known about her childhood, but Larsen was a highly visible member of Harlem’s literary community in the 1920s. Harlem Renaissance was a prospering of African American culture, particularly in the creative arts and was predominantly focused in Harlem, New York City. At the time it was known as the...

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...ld even lead to her death. To others, Clare appears to be relaxed and content, but this is not the case. The day when she can fully interact with the African-American community will never come as long as she lives in a society separated by a racial border.

Nella Larsen’s Passing demonstrates how important identity is to an individual. Through imagery, language and tone, Larsen illustrates that ‘passing’ may appear glamorous; however, this sacrifice is not without consequences. Clare and Irene are not free to embrace their entire identity. They will always remain a threat to those who come in contact with them. By carefully choosing characters who are detached from the black society, Larsen’s difficulties of duality are evidently portrayed and she mirrors herself. The plot and characters in the novel are affected by her confusion about racial passing and identity.