Theme Of Identity In Passing By Nella Larson

Identity is an important aspect in the novel Passing by Nella Larson, and it is tied within

race, socioeconomic class, and gender. However this novel challenges the very notion of self-

perception and how circumstances regarding your race, gender, and overall identity can change

as you encounter obstacles and adversities ; as seen with Irene Redfield who’s own self-identity

especially with respect to her race, family, and general livelihood is morphed and challenged

with the reemergence of Clare in her life.

One of Irene’s early encounters with Clare, the one where Irene is introduced to Clare’s

husband, reveals how even though identity is such a pivotal part of one’s character we must still

adapt to and act accordingly to the

As the novel continues Clare’s impact on Irene’s self-identity

grows and Irene begins to question who she is.

One aspect of identity that is essential to Irene’s character is her role as a wife and as a

mother. Irene and her husband Brian from the beginning of the novel have had their issues.

However as Clare became a reoccurring figure in Irene’s life, Irene’s marriage began to fall apart

especially when Irene became suspicious that Brian had committed adultery with Clare. Irene

soon begins to lose confidence in her own worth as a women and a wife. “Her mental and

physical languor receded. Brian. What did it mean? How would it affect her and the boy? The

boys! She had a surge of relief. It ebbed, vanished. A feeling of absolute unimportance followed.

Actually, she didn’t count. She was, to him, only the mother of his sons. That was all. Alone she

was nothing. Worse. An obstacle.”(107).It’s obvious here that Irene is distraught and she no

longer feels as if she’s worth anything as a wife or as a person. Keep in my mind she has no

proof that Brian has broken her trust but the mere suspicion she has is powerful enough for her

Irene is

struggling her with her race and overall identity due to her obligation to Clare. She continues to

keep Clare’s secret from Clare’s husband as her own self-identity suffers. Irene for the first

moment ever in her life no longer wants to be black. This is absolutely devastating because race

is so intertwined with ourselves, Irene expressing this resentment, proves how even though

everyone race is fixed the way you perceive your race and other races can be altered by the

adversities presented. The adversity in this case being Irene’s complicated relationship with

Clare. Irene also in this excerpt exposes her vulnerabilities being a women and just an individual.

Irene detesting her race in this passage is so crucial to revealing how society and conditions can

mold our identity within regards to race.

This novel Passing by Nella Larson depicts a clear statement, identity is not fixed but

rather it is constantly changing as we face hardships and different experiences. This was evident

in Irene, who with the reintroduction of Clare, began to question her self-perception and