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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Please use either The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, Passing, or one or two stories in The Ways of White Folks and discuss what the text(s) reveals about race relations in the United States during the time in which the story is set. Consider what the text reveals about interracial relationships between Black and White men, Black and white women, Black men and white women, and/or white men and Black women.

HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE DRAFT/ESSAY)

Title: Race Relations in the United States in Passing by Nella Larsen

Introduction:

Passing is a novel by Nella Larsen that explores the lives of two childhood friends, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, who are both light-skinned African American women. The novel is set in the 1920s and provides a commentary on the complexities of race relations in the United States during this period. This analysis will explore what the novel reveals about interracial relationships between Black and White individuals, as well as the social and cultural implications of passing.

Interracial Relationships:

In Passing, we see the complex dynamics of interracial relationships between Black and White individuals. Irene and Clare both pass as White in order to gain access to certain social and economic advantages, and this passing complicates their relationships with others. Irene is married to a Black man and has two children, but is constantly aware of the ways in which her light skin and middle-class status affect her interactions with both White and Black people. Clare, on the other hand, has completely abandoned her Black identity and has married a White man.

The novel also explores the relationships between Black men and White women, as seen in Irene’s interactions with her White friend, Hugh Wentworth. Although Hugh is friendly and respectful towards Irene, she is aware of the ways in which his social status and race privilege limit their relationship. Similarly, Clare’s husband, Jack Bellew, is a racist who uses derogatory language towards Black people and is unaware of Clare’s racial background.

Cultural Implications:

Passing also highlights the cultural implications of passing for both Black and White individuals. For the Black characters, passing is a means of accessing opportunities and privileges that would be otherwise denied to them due to their race. However, passing also means giving up a part of their cultural identity and assimilating into White society. For the White characters, passing is a means of maintaining the social and cultural status quo, and protecting the boundaries of Whiteness. The novel suggests that the boundaries of race are constructed by society, and that passing reveals the ways in which race is a fluid and socially constructed concept.

Conclusion:

Passing by Nella Larsen provides a nuanced examination of race relations in the United States during the 1920s. The novel explores the complexities of interracial relationships between Black and White individuals, and the social and cultural implications of passing. By revealing the fluidity of racial identity and the ways in which race is a socially constructed concept, the novel challenges the reader to think critically about the social and cultural dynamics of race in the United States.

References:

Larsen, N. (1929). Passing. Alfred A. Knopf.

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