Passing by Nella Larsen

Published in 1929, Nella Larsen’s’ novel “Passing” tells a story of two very similar African American women and their two very different experiences of “crossing” the race line. With admiring use of irony and symbolism, Larsen is able to deal with themes such as identity, race, sexuality and class distinction in an educated and entertaining format. All these social issues and problems seemingly to culminate in the end to ask the question; is what person …

…he did in fact push her, and if Irene had pushed Clare to her death, why wouldn’t she want to lie and say that John did do it to take the suspicion off of her? The answer as to what happened to the care free Clare Kendry will probably never be answered but is one of the many fascinating stories brought up in this compelling novel about identity and acceptance in the novel “passing” .