In her novel, Passing, Nella Larsen uses the relationship between Irene and Clare to show the effect of racial “passing.” Passing, as it is discussed in the novel, is when a black person pretends to be (or passes as) white in society because of their white physical traits. Both Irene and Clare pass as white for different reasons. In the end, both characters suffer devastating consequences as a result of pretending to be someone they’re not. Still, Larsen manages to make the reader sympathize more with Irene than Clare because of the focus on Irene’s point of view, her strong black identity, and the destruction of her lifestyle at the hands on Clare.
The novel is written in the third-person but it follows Irene around. The reader gets to see Irene’s personal life without Clare and then get to see how Clare’s presence turns it all into turmoil. The reader knows more about Irene and start to think of her as caring and motherly because of her family role. On the other hand, the reader knows very little about Clare and why she is the way she is. When Clare and her family are the focus, they’re hardly presented in a positive light.
Irene also has a strong black identity. Irene passes for convenience, not because she identifies as white. She wants access to public places that she wouldn’t have access to as a black woman. She simply wants to take advantage of resources that she deserves (as a human being). The reader sees Irene’s pride in having dark children and a dark husband. When Irene suffers, the reader is quick to sympathize with her. On the other hand, Clare is presented in a way that says she sees everything as a game and simply isn’t aware of how she condemns blacks. Clare doesn’t defend her black friends in front of her husband but she doesn’t reinforce his words either. She bluntly states she doesn’t want dark colored children. She wants to lead a white lifestyle and attempts to do so with her white husband. The reader sees her as a coward and as a phony and is less likely to sympathize with her in times of trouble.
Lastly, the author shows the negative effects that Clare has on Irene. Clare’s presence only brings pain in Irene’s life. This is particularly clear when Irene concludes that her husband is having an affair with Clare. Clare’s role in breaking up a marriage and putting Irene and her children in jeopardy makes the reader resent her. The reader gets to see more of Irene’s feelings of hatred, anger, jealousy and helplessness. It’s extremely pitiable when Irene decides that as long as her husband stays with her and her kids, she will let the affair go on. Clare is the mentally and socially destructive force in Irene’s life.
All in all, the Larsen makes it easier for the reader to sympathize with Irene. The story follows Irene around and as a result, the reader gets to know a lot more about her life and why she makes the choices she does. The reader also admires Irene for claiming her identity as a black woman and defending her children. Finally, the reader sees Clare’s destructive role in Irene’s marriage, mental health and social life. The reader’s ability to better understand and admire Irene makes Irene easier to sympathize with than Clare.
