Nella Larsen’s narratives The New Historicalism of the Passing’ can be used for insight and explanation of a time in American history that was racially segregated. Larsen was born in a suburb of Chicago and was immediately drawn to mixed-race dynamics. Passing is her novel about two light-skinned women. Clare is a woman who is supposedly married but keeps her African-American cultural connections. Irene, however, lives in Harlem. The novel is set in New York, in the 1920s. It demonstrates how gender constructed the society during that period when women had no power against men or race. Nella Larsen uses symbolism, simile, and allegory to demonstrate the struggles Clare Kendry (Irene Redfield) faced due to “passing.”

Larsen was the only person of color in Larsen’s nuclear family. Therefore, the author uses race/ethnicity as a metaphor to talk about the changing delineations of gender, race, and the inextricable relationship between being white or black. Clare is depicted being motivated to join an African-American group that is not part of the white community. Clare suffers from race disorientation because she is an African American woman who pretends to be white. The author also exposes the impossibility for self-invention that was prevalent in American society. Uncertainty and nuance were considered to be a significant threat. Larsen’s Passing exposes the indictment of consumerism and its effects on individual integrity. Clare and Irene are able to see the depths they will go to to transform their lives. Nella Larsen’s Passing was influenced a lot by the themes of wealth and privilege, as well social segregation faced by women during the 1920s. This was a time when American minorities were frequently subject to discrimination, racial segregation. Clare’s “passing” allows her to escape the dreary world of her family and reach the world of privilege and affluence that she once admired from afar. Clare, a Black American who was raised in the United States, decided to “pass” and stop being a black person. Larsen’s literary portrayals of her life and the cultural changes in America after World War I are equally important.

Irene, along with other characters, focuses on the theme “Maritimacy” to highlight the differences in the roles of men and women within their households. The novel focuses on the different marriage dynamics within Bellew’s and Redfields Households. Every character, including those who are not the main characters, seems to offer security and partnership. Irene, Clare have conflicts over Brain’s looming affairs. The theme of deceit is thus born. This theme describes some of these challenges women face raising children when they are responsible for the household’s affairs.

To portray her childhood experiences of racial disorientation, the writer uses Clare in symbolism. Larsen is not white like her mom and sister. She cannot also be black like Irene and other African American characters. Larsen’s thoughts about the racial segregation of American society in the 20s is established in the Passing through historicalism approaches. Larsen uses “passing”, as symbolism, for people who aren’t easily identifiable or have no roots similar to Larsen. Many African-Americans have made it a point to pass or for African-Americans to pretend they are white. “Passing” is a way for people of color escape from the oppression and injustices that life in 1920s America could cause. The African-Americans were protected from racial segregation by “passing” for the white race. They also had access to opportunities that were not available to white society. This suggests that slavery could have meant freedom for some African-Americans. Even after slavery was abolished, segregation was still evident in Southern States public places, such as railway stations. Larsen’s Nuclear parents were all white, so her family lived mainly in white neighborhoods.

Clare uses allegory in an earlier part of the story to recall the pain she suffered at the hands her family. Clare states that people didn’t believe that God intended for Ham’s actions towards Noah to cause the Ham children and daughters to suffer. She recalls her aunts telling her the story of Noah’s curse on Ham and his sons (Larsen 17). Larsen was born in an African-American household and was raised in the white household. Because of the hostilities in her family, her folks decided to enroll Larsen at African-American University. Larsen tried to reach her family and made contact, but she was denied by her family. This story of the Bible is an example of the misfortunes faced by African-Americans during their 20s. The Larsen, through Clare’s character in her book, sees herself as Ham to anti-African-Americans and an outsider from the African-American community. Irene is seen by the black community as “Ham’s dark kids” due to her challenging life. (78), which indicates identity conflict individuals were experiencing at the time.

Larsen uses similes to illustrate her nursing career. Because black Americans had to use public facilities like hospitals in such poor conditions, racial segregation was rampant. Brian’s conversation to Irene reveals this condition through an unfavorable simile. Brian illustrates his inability to be a brother to his sick brother. He also hates the fact that his patients have to climb filthy stairs, walk in dirty hospitals, and navigate dark corridors at black community hospitals. Larsen is a nurse so this is an indication of Larsen’s desire for her “fleas”, a term used to describe the struggles she experienced as a nurse. This shows some of those racial prejudices that were later used in the southern states. These included segregation at schools, hospitals, public transportation, and other places. Larsen’s description highlights the difficulties faced by black Americans while living here.

Nella Larsen’s Passing is, in short, a reflection of the racial problems that were so prevalent in 1920s America. The book is not just about racial discrimination. It also uses themes to highlight gender problems in marriages, relationships and society as a whole between men and women.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.