Oppression in Passing Essay

When faced with the obstacle of trying to find ones self in a deteriorating world filled with racial Inequality based on skin color, patriarchal control, and female sexual repression in the pursuit of happiness, individuality gets distorted and sexual indeciviness erupts, causing a multitude of questioning about ones own identity in relation to the rest of the world. Therefore, in the collection, The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen, the main characters, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry ,in Passing, are forced to face the sexual and racial repression in their own lives with the hope of establishing an identity away from the falsehood they are displaying to others around them Most importantly, Larsen, allows the characters, and the readers to witness the overall battle one faces when fighting against ignorance encountered by others based on skin color, and to what extent people are willing to go in order to find order and acceptance amongst others. ]

At first in Passing, we learn about the two main characters through a neutral third party, Larsen, in speaking of their existence. However, as the story evolves, the reader comes to the realization that the character, Irene, is controlling the story. This may seem uninteresting to some at first, but at a closer observation, you can witness Irenes sexual curiosity through her candid description of Clare, when she first witnesses her at a restaurant , she states, An attractive-looking woman, was Irenes opininon, with those dark, almost black, eyes and that wide mouth like a scarlet flower against the ivory of her skin.(Larsen, pg.177) Also, the description for sexual attraction both exhibit when locking eyes on one another, Again she looked up, and for a moment her brown eyes politely returned the stare of the others black ones, which never for an instant fell wavered..She tried to treat the woman and her watching with indifference, but she couldnt. All her efforts to her, were futile. She stole another glance. Still looking.(Larsen, pg. 178)Even though, both characters having contrasting personalities, Irene is more reserved and Clare is more adventurous, Irene describes her Stepping always on the edge of danger. Always aware, but not drawing back or turning aside(Larsen,pg.172) showcases the vibrant desire that enhances the sexual and racial tension that exist among them. For example, Irene describes the invitation Clare sent her after their initial meeting, she states, the long envelope of thin Italian paper..out of place and alien. And there was, too, something mysterious and slightly furtive about it.(Larsen,pg. 171)

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Still, as the story continues, the reader discovers why there is racial tension between the two characters, both mulatto ,which seems odd considering one would think they would embrace each other, upon their rediscovery at the restaurant, considering they are both from the same neighborhood. However, growing up, Irene and Clare, both grew up in different ethnic circles, based on color and who could pass as white. Therefore, Irenes continues the racial tension between them, thinking, Clare had never been exactly one of the groupjust as shed never been merely the janitors daughter, but the daughter of Mr. Bob Kendry, who, it was true, was a janitor..One of Irenes brothers, who had put the question to their father, had been told: Thats something doesnt concern you, and given him the advice to be careful not to end in the same manner as poor Bob(Larsen 183). [proper citation] Still, harboring sentiments of jealousy of Clare, who was able to pass herself completely off as white, Irene, who was not passing at the moment, but aghast upon discovering that Clare has completely relinquished her entire ethnic background and married a bigot white man, who thinks she really is white. At this point, we see start to see the racial tension between this two characters and extent the are willing to go to gain acceptance in life. Irene not only upset at Clare for completely denying her ethnicity, but allowing herself to be with a man who mocks her skin color and is a racist, she explains, There was a brief silence, during which she feared that her self-control was about to prove too frail a bridge to support her mounting anger and indignation..The impulse passed, obliterated by the consciousness of the danger in which such rashness would involve Clare.. (Larsen,pg. 202)