Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing, provides an example of some of the best writing the Harlem Renaissance has to offer. Nella Larsen was one of the most promising young writer’s of her time. Though she only published two novels it is clear that she was one of the most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance movement. Her career as writer probably would have lasted longer, but she was accused of plagiarizing her short story, Sanctuary. She was eventually cleared of any wrong doing, but the accusation deeply tarnished her reputation as writer.
It is truly a hame that the first African-American woman to win the Guggenheim Fellowship was forced out of writing by scandal. Before being haunted by scandal, Nella Larsen played an intricate role in the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that started toward the end of World War I and lasted through the mid 1930’s. It was the first notable movement of African-American writers and artists in the United States. It was given the name Harlem Renaissance because the movement was centered in the Harlem district in New York City.
More African-American writers and poets were published during his period in the United States than ever before. Not only were African-American writers being published more, but they were also getting a great deal of recognition for their work. The body of work characteristic of this time period showed a heightened sense of racial consciousness. African-American writers during this time were not only seeking to counteract racial prejudice, but were also perpetuating the cultural heritage of Africa.
Some of the major writers born from this period include Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, Jean Toomer, Countee Cullen, Neale Hurston and of course, Nella Larsen. The writing of the Harlem Renaissance explored a variety of themes and genres. The writer’s experimented with a wide variety of styles as well. Langston Hughes for instance explored the lives of working-class African-Americans. Jean Toomer explored what life was like for very poor African-Americans. Countee Cullen on the other hand explored the problem of racism and the definition of Africa for African-Americans.
Nella Larsen explored the restrictions faced by African-Americans according to their skin color. Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing was her second as well s last novel and was published in 1929. To get a better idea of what this novel is about, one must understand what exactly passing is. Passing is when African-American men or women with light skin pass themselves off as white in order to enjoy the privileges that were afforded to white people during this period in American history. The Plessy vs.
Ferguson ruling of separate, but equal was still in effect at this time in history. Therefore, one could understand why it could be advantageous for African-Americans who had light enough skin to pass themselves off as white. Passing is narrated by the character, Irene Redfield, who is a middle-class, light-skinned African-American woman who deplores passing. She is married to a doctor, with whom she has two sons, who is too dark to pass. Irene is somewhat self-consciously proud of her African heritage.
Irene’s life is going along as usual when she runs into a childhood friend. Her old friend’s name is Clare Kendry. Clare Kendry is a light-skinned African-American woman who passes for white. In fact she is even married to a white doctor. Ironically, Irene runs into her at a rooftop estaurant where she herself is passing to evade the heat wave. The characters in Passing, are faced with the confusion of which race to identify with. They are trapped in limbo between two worlds: white and black.
These feelings of being denied privileges if they identify with African-American society and being allowed privileges if they pass as white causes them to feel lonely and feel as though they are not truly part of either race. If they pass they will be allowed to exercise all the privileges that come along with being white during this period of history in America. If they decide to identify themselves as African-American they will be denied many of the most basic privileges given to American citizens.
This book explores the trap that light-skinned African-Americans are put in by the Plessy vs. Ferguson ruling of separate, but equal. This ruling is in reality, separate, but not anywhere near equal. Passing proves this to be true. African-Americans would not even entertain the idea of passing if they were not being denied certain rights and privileges. This book is a valuable account of the tragic consequences of being denied racial identity due to a court ecision and a society which perpetuates this unfounded prejudice.
Is it better to deny one’s racial heritage or accept it and identify with it. This book shows how both choices are loaded with a number of adverse consequences. After reading Passing, the reader will see that this is by no means a black and white issue, but rather a complex series of stages of gray. Whether you are familiar with Harlem Renaissance and this period in history or this is your first journey into exploring what society was like in the 11920’s you stand to learn a lot from Nella Larsen’s classic, Passing.
