Review of Passing – A Novel by Nella Larsen from 1929

Passing, in this novel, refers to Racial Passing, a practice in which people conceal their racial identity to gain acceptance and or social validation. The novel Passing, written in 1929 by Nella Larsen, explores the life of Irene Redfield, an African American woman who lives in Harlem. The book received positive feedback when it was released, but did not really take off outside of New York. Skip forward to 2007, and the novel was the subject of over 50 dissertations and 200 scholarly articles, becoming one of the most important books of the 20th century.

The book reflect many of the real life experiences of Larsen, whose mother was Danish and her father was a mixed-race Afro Caribbean immigrant. Passing is her magnum opus, exploring various themes from the “tragic mulatto” to sexual repression and middle class security. It was also adapted into a 2021 film of the same name.

Plot Synopsis of Passing

Irene Redfield is a woman of mixed racial heritage, like Nella Larsen, and she is living a respectable life in Harlem at the start of the novel. Living with her husband, Brian, who is an African American doctor, she has two sons. Irene gets a mysterious letter from a childhood friend, Clare, who is also a woman of African-European heritage. Clare is also married, but to a white man. John, who is also a racist.

The two reconnect, and the novel explores how women from similar backgrounds grew up and took very different paths in their adult lives. Naturally, comparisons to their lives, partners and class are prominent themes in the novel, and it gives insights into the racial passing that Nella Larsen may have also experienced.

By offering this two sided mirror, between the two mixed race women who have opposite lives, Passing delves into many deep topics and themes. The extent to which Nella Larsen paints these characters, and explores their ever diverging paths certainly draws influences from Larsen’s own life.

The Themes Nella Larsen Addresses

Race is a huge topic in the book, as Nella Larsen paints the portrait of the tragic mulatto. That is, the mixed race woman who passes for white, and conceals her true heritage to pass in society. Yet internally, she is unable to identify with either race group, which opens up themes of self-loathing, anguish, and extreme repression.

However, the racial passing is just skimming the surface, as the novel goes into topics of class, social mobility, jealousy and even sexual ambiguity. Irene has a strong sense of class, being married to a doctor and having two children, but it contrasts with Clare’s character. Clare, born in a working class family, marries into the upper class, but she doesn’t seem to fit in either class. She has the luxuries she longed for in childhood, but wants to live in both social classes, something that continuously puts her at cross ends.

The jealousy between the women also comes from two very different perspectives. Irene is jealous of Clare’s beauty and outward social charm, whereas Clare is envious of Irene’s closeness to the black community, and what she considers to be Irene’s “freedom”. Irene is also portrayed as sexually repressed, with some scholars suggesting an awakening sexual desire towards Clare.

Summarizing Passing, by Nella Larsen

This short novel is a gripping read, and makes for an entertaining story even without exploring the underlying concepts. On a deeper level, it easily prompts loads of discussions and is a thought provoking story that has stood the test of time. The book was well received when it was published, but passed under the radar until decades after Larsen passed away. However, Passing also has a few critics.

One of the biggest criticisms of the book is that it “ends too early”. Larsens does not address the issue of racial apssing, and there is no definite moral to conclude. But, considering the bigger picture, Larsen’s own story had a pretty sharp and inconclusive end. A year after publishing Passing, she published a book called Sanctuary, and was accused of plagiarism. The charges were not proved, but it was enough for Larsen to completely withdraw from writing and never publish again.

What some describe to be an incomplete hanger, or a sudden end could also be interpreted as an open ended book that leaves the reader with a desire to discuss the main topics and themes. In that way, Larsen has definitely achieved her point, and Passing is rightfully one of the most important African American literary works of the 20th century.

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