Perspectives in Literature

“White people were so stupid about such things for that they usually asserted that they were able to tell; and by the most ridiculous means,”—scientific racism—“finger-nails, palms of the hands, shapes of ears, teeth, and other equally sill rot. They always took her for an Italian, a Spaniard, a Mexican, or a gipsy. Never, when she was alone, had they even remotely seemed to suspect that she was a Negro. No, the woman sitting there staring at her couldn’t possibly know.” (16)

“He drew back her chair and she sat down behind the fat-bellied German coffee-pot …With his long, nervous fingers he picked up the morning paper from his own chair and sat down.
Zulena, a small mahogany-coloured creature, brought in the grapefruit.
They took up their spoons.
Out of the silence Brian spoke. Blandly
She stopped short, suddenly too wrathful for words.
… ‘More coffee,’ she offered.
…Zulena came in bringing more toast” (54-5).

[Clare]“I’m used to risks. And this isn’t such a big one as you’re trying to make it.”
“Oh, but it is. And it can make all the difference in the world. There’s your little girl, Clare. Think of the consequences to her.”
Clare’s face took on a startled new look, as thought she were totally unprepared for this new weapon with which Irene had assailed her. Seconds passed, during which she sat with stricken eyes and compressed lips. “I think,” she said at last, “the being a mother is the cruelest thing in the world.” Her clasped hands swayed forward and back again, and her scarlet mouth trembled irrepressibly.
“Yes,” Irene softly agreed. For a moment she was unable to say more, so accurately had Clare put into words that which, not so definitely defined, was so often in her own heart of late. At the same time she was conscious that here, to her hand, was a reason which could not be lightly brushed aside. “Yes,” she repeated, “and the most responsible, Clare, We mothers are responsible for the security and happiness of our children. Think what it would mean to your Margery if Mr. Bellew should find out. You’d probably lose her. And even if you didn’t, nothing that concerned her would ever be the same again. He’d never forget that she had Negro blood. And if she should learn—Well, I believe that after twelve is too late to learn a thing like that. She’d never forgive you. You may be used to taking risks, but this is one that you mustn’t take, Clare.” (67-8)

“She [Irene] remembered her own little choked exclamation of admiration, when, on coming downstairs a few minutes later that she had intended, she had rushed into the living-room where was Brian was waiting and had found Clare there too. Clare, exquisite, golden, fragrant, flaunting…” (74)

Just finished reading Passing, I must say this book was not one of my favorites. There were many things I didn’t find interesting. First of all the language spoken was not one for me to catch my attention. The different insight on the characters through the narrators perspective was mainly focused on Irene which i felt didn’t give me enough information on the other character such as Clare or even Brian.

Nevertheless I did finish the book. My biggest question is why didn’t Irene just leave Brian once she suspected he was having an affair with Clare? I get it its a different time period, where woman wouldn’t go far in live, but she could easily go back to Chicago. As for the kids, she could take them with her too. Her biggest weakness to me was Clare. She was never able to stand up to Clare and tell her how she really felt which made her lose her temper and push her over in the end.

Clare on the other hand did have a way of manipulating people, especially Irene. She knew what words to use in order to get what she wanted out of Irene. Although there wasn’t any real proof on the affair, Clare should have known better to be with Brian. If Clare missed Irene as much as she said she did, why would she go after her friends husband? I understand that she feels lonely but shouldn’t she go and occupy herself with her daughter?

There are many things i don’t like in the first part of the book Passing. First of all Clare is one of those characters that I don’t like. To me Clare is one of those type of people that are ashamed of who they are and rather hide their true background then embracing it. The fact that her husband thinks negros are the worst type of people also makes me not like him. I find it funny that Clare is from african decent and her husband would not think twice about leaving her and their child. The biggest question i have is why would she marry a guy and then have a child with him if she knew that there would be a possibility that the son/daughter would come out dark skin.