Summary Of Passing By Nella Larsen

O'Connor and Nella Larsen both examine family, and how it can give one a sense of security, or tension. O'Connor examines family through the lens of a hardworking woman who undermines both of her sons' life choices. This tension is discussed by the family through direct confrontation. In Passing, the tension is not directly discussed but is thought about by the narrator, Irene. It is through her point of view that we understand the tension in her family. Clare's family tension is also not directly confronted until the end of the novel. Clare and Irene both sacrifice their autonomy and identity in order to secure their place in their families. Ms. May does not repress these conflicts, nor do her sons, and this could be because of

““Not so lonely that that old, queer, unhappy restlessness had begun again within him, that craving for some place strange and different, which at the beginning of her marriage she had had to make such strenuous efforts to repress, and which yet faintly alarmed her, though it now sprang up at gradually lessening intervals..” (Pt 1, Ch 4). Irene is very aware of Brians desire to move away is the root of this tension between the two, yet she refuses to openly discuss it and instead repress it by examining Brians behavior and acting accordingly. This highlights the underlying superficial nature to their relationship, Irene’s repression of her own true desires and her inability to communicate these desires is causing her to repress her husband’s own behavior. This tip toeing around the tension could be attributed to Irene’s fear that direct confrontation would lead to the end of the stability she is worked so hard for, and for Irene this would be

May believes she has over Mr. Greenleaf is further highlighted by her belief that she is superior to the Greenleaf family, socially and intellectually. As seen in lines “As scrub-human as the Greenleaf’s were, he never hesitated to let her know that in any like circumstance in which his own boys might have been involved, they—O. T. and E. Greenleaf—would have acted to better advantage.” This false sense of security and control is directly challenged by the relationship between her and her two sons. Her sons do not share these views about the Greenleaf, threatening their mother’s sense of authority and belief that she is in control. Ms. May believes that her sons should adopt her values and respect her authority, while constantly comparing them and undermining their success. The tension in her relationships could all be traced back to her obsession with