Passing Bella Larsen Sparknotes

Passing by Bella Larsen is a novel that exemplifies the complex nature of racial identity politics and how it can be a negative force of oppression. The book explores the experiences of two Black women, Irene and Clare, who both "pass" as white in order to gain access to certain privileges and protections that come with whiteness. This paper will argue that the racial identity politics of Passing can be a negative force of oppression, perpetuating white supremacist systems by inherently proposing that whiteness is superior or at least more advantageous.

Passing reveals the conflict between race and identity politics, highlighting the negative impact that racial identity politics can have on the lives of black women. The theme of passing allows

Irene spots Clare during a tea party and is reminded of her own past experiences of ‘passing’. For Irene, passing was something she has faced since childhood. She is cautious and complacent with her role in the ‘coloured’ community as her light skin afforded her some privilege. She deliberately chooses to live a life within her ‘community’, and she believes that doing so, she can work towards helping with the ‘colored people’s cause.’ In contrast, Clare, a character initially portrayed as secure, daring, and excited, disregards any black political agency or advocacy, and is determined to distance herself from black culture and gain access to white

The characters’ passing as white reflects Larsen's desire to highlight the sense of entrapment for blacks in a country where their existence was still restricted due to the pervasive social and political impacts of racism. However, this aspect of the book can also be viewed as a problematic trope that perpetuates the idea that whiteness is the norm and that blackness is aberrant. This re-creation of a power dynamic within the book, where a persona can only gain acceptance in society from hiding or distancing themselves from their heritage, reiterates a white supremacist narrative.

The racial identity politics in Passing have further adverse implications in the context of class differences, particularly in the United States. The novel shows how race and class are intertwined and intersect; how even those of the same racial background have vastly different lives depending on their class status. Irene and Clare are juxtaposed in this sense, as Irene’s experiences of discrimination are rooted in her environment, whereas Clare’s feelings of isolation are