Passing by Nella Larsen is a novel that leaves the reader in conflict with his/herself by the end of the story. It introduces us to the life of two African American women who choose to represent their identities in two different ways. Both Irene and Clare have lighter skin so that they aren’t really always identifiable as colored women. Clare uses this physical characteristic of hers to “pass” as a white woman. This way she marries a rich man and lives the rich and lavish life she always dreamed of but through betraying her own people. Irene doesn’t choose to “pass” instead she lives life proud to be a colored woman and is able to marry a doctor and give herself a rich life living in a home with housekeeper and organizing social events with well known authors up in Harlem. By the end even though Irene kills Clare out of jealousy, we still can’t help but sympathize for her and respect her more.
Clare’s character doesn’t show much substance like Irene’s does. She believes only in the superficial aspects in life, and uses her beauty and flirtation to get people to like her. Even people that know she’s lying to her family about being white, such as Brian, end up liking her. She seduces those around her and makes it seem as if she is a victim in her marriage, even though it was her choice to pass and lie about it. Irene on the other hand has made a life for herself while staying true to her identity. She has worked hard to keep her family together and has earned respect throughout her community. She doesn’t need to lie everyday about who she is, she doesn’t betray her own people like Clare. And even when she kills Clare in the end, part of us feels as though Clare had it coming, that Irene once again did what she had to in order to maintain her family. Even though in reality Irene acts selfish and jealous it’s easier to admire her character over Clare’s because we know her choices in the past are more respectable than Clare’s.
Just as we’ve seen in The Godfather, an author’s or director’s point of view really affects the way we interpret the characters. Even though the novel is written in third person, it follows the life of Irene as the main character. Clare is the one who manipulates Irene to enter her life and in a way secretly live the life Irene built for herself. We know that eventually Clare’s lies are going to get to her. We do not expect Irene to change so drastically but once again it is easily to put the blame on Clare. Larsen leaves me in conflict with myself over who deserves my sympathy, the girl who just died, the one who’s life was saved by this death, or neither?
