Quicksand And Passing Essay

In Larsons novels Quicksand and Passing, both novels deal with the characters act for passing, and how both African American women live their lives, and where there place is in society. In the novel Quicksand, Helgas self-satisfaction is impossible to satisfy. Helga felt isolated after being around Negroes for too long. Helga was confused about her life, she wanted to get out of her normal surroundings and move to another city. Helga deciding that she wants to leave Naxos she was upset with the racists remarks and wasnt happy as a teacher. Her fianc James didnt excite her. Helga needed to live her life her way and be happy. When dealing with her white side of the family she misses her black side. Moving to Chicago with her uncle Peter on her black side of the family her uncle rejects her, her aunt harasses her stating that she is not his real niece and she is not Helgas aunt. By Helga wanting to be around her dad side of the family it gives her right to know who her black side of the family is. Helga plan was to go beyond the limit and try to get the black and white people together and stop them from being against each other. When Helga moves to Denmark with her white relatives, everyone respected her in a well-being manner. A white artist wanted to marry her but she denied his request and said I simply cant imagine living forever away from colored people. Helga wanted to be happy with whom she would marry. She wanted someone who will accept everyone for who they are and look at society as a whole. When she relocated back to Harlem she found God and she

also found the man of her dreams, Reverend Green. Eventually she moves with her husband down south and starts a family. Starting a family with the man of her dream was something Helga always wanted but she also lost her happiness of being a preachers wife. Helga was conquered by the quicksand of racial identity, social class and sexism that she has spent a lifetime trying to overcome.(Larson, 1928)

In Larsons novel Passing Clare Kendry manages to escape poverty by marrying a rich white man. Clare is a selfish character and does not plan on telling her white friends or her husband about her true heritage. Clare does not want her friends and her husband to judge her based upon where she really comes from and her true blood of being half black. Clare holds that decision based upon status quo. Clare was described as so daring, so loving and so having. (Larsen, pg 43) Clare cared nothing about the race she only belonged to it. (52) Clare considered her life as a deserter because of her life as passing. Clare wanted to be with the white side because of how they treat African Americans on a daily basis. I was determined to get away, to be a person and not a charity, or a problem, or even a daughter of an indiscreet ham. Then, too, I wanted things, I knew I wasnt bad looking and that I could pass (36) Clare capped her feelings, knowing if she gets caught she would be dealt with by her husband she also stated It may be, Rene dear, it may just be, that, after all, your way may be the wiser and infinitely happier one. (47) Clares survival depends on her ability to keep appearances. Clares action in the novel plays a big part in the novel because she passes only because she wants to fit in and not be mistreated or judged by others.

In both novels Helga and Clare plays a major role. Clare role is more of passing, and Helga is more about trying to bring both races together. Helga somewhat passes by visiting her black side of her family and her white side of the family. Helga wants the society to come together as one instead of her having to choose sides. However, Clare is more so about herself, she doesnt want to try to bring society together she just want to be able to pass as being white so she wouldnt have to be treated like the African Americans in her community she wanted to live a fancy lifestyle. Larson describes what her life was somewhat alike in both novels and each novel telling a different part of Larsons life.