My first association with the word “passing” is passing away or something passing by. After beginning the book however, I soon realized that is referred to passing as white in the highly racist society of the Harlem Renaissance. The two main characters in the novel, Irene and Clare, are half white and half black. They both choose to pass as white in their society so that they can experience the privileges of white people. Although they both share this trait they use it in different ways. Irene still holds on to her black heritage that she grew up with, whereas Clare attempts to full assimilate into white society. Clare goes so far with this that she even lies to her husband about her race.
The other meaning of “passing” does not become apparent until the end of the book. Clare’s death brings new meaning to the word in the context of the book. Passing away is kind of a statement of how she may have gone to far in her attempts to pass as white. She tried to completely disregard the fact that is still half black. That is the fundamental difference between the two women. Irene uses “passing” as a way to move up in society and get privileges that she deserves but still accepts her true identity. Clare has a much shallower approach to the idea of “passing”, which ends up working to her disadvantage in the end.
