65 pages • 2 hours read
Passing
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Essay Topics
Explain what “passing”, as portrayed in Larsen’s novel, means. What does the act of passing suggest about race more generally? Provide examples.
Compare Irene, Clare and Gertrude. How are they similar in their outlook on life and passing? How are they different?
Larsen’s novel makes a point of describing how similar the lives of Irene’s circle of friends in Harlem are to those of white Americans. Describe the two sides. Is there a marked difference?
Though Clare Kendry has a rich husband, she was not always wealthy. Describe her past, including her childhood. How did she get to where she is, with John Bellew as her husband?
Irene Redfield is civil toward Gertrude and Clare, but is frustrated by their attitudes toward race. Explain why Irene feels this way. What does her “allegiance” to African-Americans mean, and how does it differ from her two friends? Be sure to provide examples.
Compare the husbands in the novel, including Brian and John. Are there any similarities in how they treat their wives and women in general, despite their different ethnicities and points-of-view?
Irene comes to believe that Brian is having an affair with Clare. Is there any evidence to support this? Explain how Irene rationalizes this based on Clare’s background and body language, and Brian’s actions
Clare dies at the end of the novel. Explain the scene. What do you think happens? Does she fall? Was she pushed? Who pushes her? Give evidence for your view based on what you know of each character’s likes and dislikes concerning Clare.
Parental upbringing is mentioned several times in the novel. Explain the difference in upbringing between Clare and Irene. Then explain the different parenting styles of Clare, Irene and Brian. How are they similar or different?
Irene and Hugh Wentworth discuss the concept of “slumming it” in Harlem, where whites socialized with blacks for various reasons, but mostly for the thrill of it. Explain some of these reasons, as discussed in the novel. How did Hugh view socializing in Harlem? How did Clare?
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