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Themes In Larsen's Passing - Online Term Paper

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 the novel, Irene attempts to rationalize her mysterious feelings
toward Clare Kendry, but she can't. To Irene, ...

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token Irene, a lesbian,
must "pass" to gain security in a heterosexual society.
Until Clare arrives on the scene Irene is a "secure" woman. She
busies herself with social activities and the raising of her two boys (148).
However, something is very wrong. While en route to the printing shop,
Irene begins to voice her concerns about "queer ideas" (sex jokes) that the
boys had been coming up with (105). "If sex isn't a joke, what is it,"
Brian answers (105). He goes on to say "the sooner and more he (their son)
learns about sex, the better for him.....it will keep him from lots of
disappointments later on" (105)" Brian's response to her query suggests
that to him, sex is a joke. Furthermore, his counter indicates that his
sex life with Irene is joke. As we later learn, Brian and Irene have a
"sexless marriage" and that Brian "slept in his room next to hers at night"
(179). This confirms Irene and Brian's lack of a sexual relationship. For
Irene, her marriage is one of ...

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Themes In Larsen's Passing. (2008, May 23). Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Themes-In-Larsens-Passing/84117

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 5/23/2008 10:49:56 PM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 964
Pages: 4

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