Similarities Between 'Recitatiff And Passing'

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

lifestyle. Although Twyla and Roberta both were knowingly lower class at some point, Roberta manages to live a very upscale life in which she takes pride of. Twyla seems to have jealously towards her for achieving such a flashy lifestyle. Towards the end of "Recitatiff" when Twyla and Roberta reunite they have a discussion where Roberta believes Maggie was a black woman while Twyla refuses to believe she was black. That ongoing discussion about Maggie's race between the two demonstrates how significant race was to the novel and the main characters. The main theme of "Passing" is race, Irene passes as white when it's convenient to her while Clare passes as white to be accepted in white society that she believed was superior.

A very unique approach that both of these novels use is how they often demonstrate the significance of adulthood and childhood and relate it to the characters and context.

In "Recitatiff" the novel begins where Twyla and Roberta are both children and both struggling to grow into young adults having no choice because of the absence of their mothers. The childhood vs. adulthood theme also relates to their mothers because in their situation childhood and adulthood are very fluid. Those concepts are fluid relating to their mothers because they were unable to fully mature and grow into adulthood and provide proper care for their daughters. The novel fast forwards to where Roberta and Twyla have an encounter as adults. Roberta and Twyla are on opposing sides regarding school integration and continue to make childish signs while also bickering as if they were still children. It is significant to recognize that both characters are adults while still remaining children at once. Using the same approach with some difference "Passing" succeeds to show the importance of childhood and adulthood. Irene reminisced back to when Clare was a child and her drunken dad verbally abused her while she calmly proceeded to sew her dress. That childhood memory later relates to Clare's mood shifts as an adult. Irene discusses how her father didn't like to tell her information about Clare's father when she was a child. She also mentions that there were a lot of rumors about Clare when they were younger when she decided to run away. Clare later asks Irene about those rumors once they're adults. Irene is influenced by her father and decides to not tell Clare about rumors. The importance is to acknowledge that both characters are influenced in their adulthood by their childhood

experiences

The most significant part of Morrison's story "Recitatiff" is that she never reveals which character is black and which is white. All throughout the novel readers are guessing on which one they think is most likely to be either race in which does make the story far more interesting. Since she decides to not reveal what race pertains to which it makes it more difficult to further discuss information about Twyla's and Roberta's family because doing so may make the mystery obvious. Overall it is difficult to not reveal so many details about the main characters so that the race mystery remains intact. Its compelling to see how Morrison gives the readers opportunities to guess their race such as when Roberta mentions she is going to see Hendrix. Many might say that she is white because Hendrix is a rockstar and its unusual for black people to be involved in that culture while other might completely disagree. On the other hand, Larsen's story reveals that both Clare and Irene are black. It is a big difference because she is able to freely discuss any descriptive details about the main characters and their families'. It makes it easier for the readers to fully understand the characters and what makes them significant to certain situations. Acknowledging that both "Passing" and "Recitatiff" have different ways of revealing race is significant so the reader appreciates the authors' unique approach.