Passing Essay - 1041 Words

The Root of Jealousy nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In Nella Larsen’s Passing, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry show us a great deal about race and sexuality in the 1920s. Both are extremely light-skinned women of African-American descent. However similar they appear to be, their views on race, a very controversial issue at the time, differ significantly. Clare chooses to use her physical appearance as an advantage in America’s racist and sexist society, leaving behind everything that connects her to her African-American identity. She presents herself as an object of sexual desire, flaunting herself to gain attention. Irene is practically the opposite, deciding that she wants to remain with the label of being black. She is subtle with her†¦show more content†¦When Irene finally realizes that this woman is Clare, someone who chooses to â€Å"pass† and hide all traces of her black heritage, Irene’s opinion of her changes. She no longer wants to be involved with Clare in any wa y, and â€Å"had no desire or intention of making the slightest effort about Tuesday. Nor any other day for that matter. She was through with Clare Kendry.† (p. 31) Irene is appalled that someone can so easily throw away her background just for the sake of gaining privilege over another race. When Clare asks her if she had ever thought of passing, Irene replies, â€Å"No. Why should I? You see, Clare, I’ve everything I want.† (p. 28) She is happy with what she has, not even having to give up anything to get there. Or at least that’s what she convinces herself to believe. Irene is again hypocritical in her beliefs. Even when she opposes Clare’s view of passing, she is still very interested in the idea. â€Å"The truth was, she was curious. There were things she wanted to ask Clare Kendry. She wished to find out about this hazardous business of ‘passing’†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 24) She even admitted that she held for her â€Å"a fascination, strange and compelling.† (p. 28) Irene doesn’t seem to be able to decide if she accepts passing as reasonable. She forces herself to disagree with passing, allowing her to hate Clare for doing it. This shows us that sexuality and race are two matters that conflict with each other, at least in Irene’s opinion. She uses race toShow MoreRelatedPassing Off Notes2162 Words   |  9 PagesPASSING OFF – a common law Definition: Perry v Truefitt: Lord Langdale: a man is not to sell his own goods under the pretence that they are goods of another man; he cannot be permitted to practice such a deception, nor to use the means which contribute to the end. He cannot therefore to use names, marks, letters or other indicia by which may induces others to believe, the goods are manufacture by another. 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Passing the restrooms, a filthy smell flies through the air. It’s like walking through an old abandoned building that hasn’t been cleaned in years. Finally I step outside, I smell the fresh air and my mind clears. I watch cars passing by as I walk to mine. Some brightly colored and new, others dull and rusted. It seemed that every third car that passed made a sharpRead MoreI Am Philip Roth s The Human Stain2625 Words   |  11 PagesI for thrightly admitted, to deepen his appreciation for my next book. It was a playful, amusing encounter, it lasted ten minutes at most, and was the only such encounter we ever had. We never bothered to have a serious conversation. Badinage in passing was our specialty, with the result that I never learned from Broyard who were his friends or his enemies, did not know where or when he had been born and raised, knew nothing about his economic status in childhood or as an adult, knew nothing of hisRead MorePassing. Passing Is A Transcendental Novel That Its Focus1370 Words   |  6 PagesPassing Passing is a transcendental novel that its focus is not encompassed only in a unique group of people, but embraces and approaches a cross section of diverse categories involving sexuality, gender, â€Å"race,† and class distinction. All the non-accepted characteristics by society converge in Irene and Clare Kendry who are the main characters in Passing. Irene and Clare are Black light-skinned women who show an implicit sexual tension in their comments to each other. Furthermore, they address theirRead MorePassing of Risk1126 Words   |  5 PagesIn all legal system the passing of risk in sold goods is a big problem and an important event in the sale of goods. Once the buyer acquires risk, he become liable for the price even if the goods are lost or damaged. The financial risk of and responsibility for damage or destruction when property is being transferred between a buyer and a seller. The risk includes Peril, danger, the chance of loss or injury. Liability for injury, loss , or damage, by statute placed upon the manufacturer rather thanRead More Passing Essay885 Words   |  4 PagesPassing Nella Larsens 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 writers 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 wrongRead MoreEssay on The Personality of Othello1053 Words   |  5 Pages(intentively.) I did consent, And often did beguile her of her tears When I did speak of some distressful stroke That my youth suffered. My story being done, She gave me for my pains a world of (sighs.) She swore, in faith, twas strange, twas passing strange, Twas pitiful, twas wondrous pitiful. She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me, And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story,