In Nella Larsen's Passing, we are privy to Irene Redfield's commentary on her encounters with Clare Kendry. Irene presents herself as a wealthy, well educated, sophisticated woman and a respected member of the Harlem Community. Conversely, she describes Clare as a traitor to her people (the Harlem society), and socially undesirable due to the fact that she "passes" as white and marries a white man. Although Irene expresses great contempt for Clare, she also possesses a deep admiration for her. This "admiration" could also be translated into sexual desire or lust.

Throughout the novel, Irene attempts to rationalize her mysterious feelings toward Clare Kendry, but she cannot. To Irene, "security was the most important and desired thing in life" (235). Her erotic feelings of adoration for Clare threatened her feeling of security, and that made Irene despise Clare. It is true that before one attempts to address the questions and problems of racial identity, the equally important questions of gender and sexual identity should be addressed. While it is true that Clare is "passing," Irene is passing as well. As a Negro, Clare must "pass" to gain security in

Until Clare arrives on the scene Irene is a "secure" woman. She busies herself with social activities and the raising of her two boys. However, something is very wrong. While en route to the printing shop, Irene begins to voice her concerns about "queer ideas" (sex jokes) that the boys had been coming up with. Brian answers, "If sex isn't a joke, what is it,"

2. On page 210, do you think Larsen uses foreshadowing when Clare says, "Why, to

He goes on to say that "the sooner and more he (their son) learns about sex, the better for him. . . it will keep him from lots of disappointments later on" (189). Brian's response to her query suggests that to him, sex is a joke. Furthermore, his counter indicates that his sex life with Irene is a joke. As we later learn, Brian and Irene have a "sexless marriage" and Brian "slept in his room next to hers at night" (224). This confirms Irene and Brian's lack of a sexual relationship. For Irene, her marriage is one of convenience, providing her with what she needs and values the most, security. It also provides her, as a lesbian, to "pass" in the heterosexual world.

"Away from the seduction of Clare Kendry's smile," Irene becomes quite irritated with herself because she had given in to Clare's request that they meet again (162). Irene wonders "just what had possessed her to make her promise to find time, in the crowded days that remained of her visit" to spend with Clare (162). Whether she admits it or not, Irene is aware of her erotic feelings for Clare, and she is perturbed at herself for having them, not only because

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Approximate Word count = 1067
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)