65 pages • 2 hours read
Nella LarsenPassing
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1929A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Passing by Nella Larsen follows Irene Redfield, a light-skinned African-American woman who occasionally passes as white, and her friend Clare Kendry, who fully embraces passing to marry a racist white man. Clare's desire to reconnect with her African-American roots disrupts Irene's life, culminating in dramatic and tragic consequences. The novel is a profound exploration of racial identity, societal norms, and personal conflicts.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Passing by Nella Larsen is widely celebrated for its compelling exploration of racial identity and societal norms in the 1920s. Critics praise its nuanced characters and eloquent prose, but some find the plot slightly underdeveloped. Overall, it remains a poignant and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate.
Who Should Read Passing?
A reader who would enjoy Passing by Nella Larsen is likely intrigued by themes of racial identity, societal norms, and complex female friendships. Fans of The Great Gatsby and The Color Purple will appreciate the novel's exploration of identity and its nuanced portrayal of personal conflict within broader social contexts.