The title of Nella Larsen’s novel, “Passing,” does not carry the meaning that readers can easily infer, but with the context of its 1920s Harlem background and unfolding plot, it soon becomes clear. “Passing” refers to being white passing, something that the main characters, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, use to their advantage. The concept of being white passing has superficial and emotional consequences. Both women keep their black heritage a secret, especially Clare, whose own husband doesn’t even know that she is black. While Irene does retain black pride, her light-skinned features enable her to do things a black woman could not do during that time, such as eat at the Drayton Hotel, where she still feels extremely self conscious. Clare’s use of “passing” is much more extreme – she lives life as a white woman, but though she can enjoy the benefits of white privilege in a narrow-minded society, Clare simultaneously denies her black heritage, which poses a problem to her friendship with Irene.
The term “passing” in the context of the novel can also serve as commentary on the ending, with Clare’s death, and the events that lead to it. While being white passing does have its superficial advantages especially in a racially prejudiced time, Clare cannot be truthful with herself and with her family members and subsequently leads to the destruction of her real identity. Clare’s fate resembles the literal definition of passing (ie passing away), but also contradicts its alternative definition of “going past” – she was never able to get past her physical features and embrace her racial identity in the same way Irene was able to.
