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Essay Archive - Themes in Larsen's Passing
Themes in Larsen's Passing
In Nella Larsen's Passing, we are privy to Irene Redfield's
commentary on her encounters with Clare Kendry. Irene presents herself as
a wealthy, well educated, sophisticated woman and a respected member of the
Harlem community. Conversely, she describes Clare as traitor to her people
(the Harlem society) and socially undesirable due to the fact that she
passes as white and marries a white man. Although Irene expresses great
contempt for Clare, she also possesses a deep admiration for her. This
"admiration" could also be translated into sexual desire or lust.
Throughout t....
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