Passing Summary
Description
Here you will find a Passing summary (Nella Larsen's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Passing Summary Overview
Irene Redfield, a light-skinned African American woman, often uses her physical appearance to pass as a white woman in public spaces, especially when it suits her needs. Originally from Chicago, she now resides in Harlem with her spouse, Brian, a successful doctor who however yearns for a life in a less racially charged environment, and their two sons. Despite her husband's desires, Irene insists on making New York their home. During a visit back to Chicago, Irene runs into Clare, an old friend from her childhood. Clare is the opposite of Irene—self-absorbed, dramatic, and impulsive, she is even lighter-skinned than Irene, and has kept her racial identity a secret from her white husband, John Bellew. The couple and their daughter divide their time between Europe and the US, determined by Bellew’s international banking career. Irene is simultaneously intrigued and repelled by Clare but grudgingly accepts an invitation to visit her at their hotel. The encounter reveals Bellew's deeply racist views, unbeknownst to him he expresses them in front of three light-skinned black women, including his wife. Fast forward two years, Clare and her family have moved to New York and she resumes contact with Irene. Unable to assert herself and maintain distance, Irene allows Clare back into her life and even into her social circle. A charity event brings Clare's secret dangerously close to being exposed when Bellew accidentally meets Irene and a darker-skinned friend. Irene begins to suspect that Clare and Brian might be having an affair, increasing her anxiety as the Bellews' imminent return to Europe could leave Clare free to pursue Brian. However, an unexpected turn of events removes the threat Clare poses to Irene's family. At a party in the Redfields' apartment, Clare falls out of an open window after a confrontation with Bellew. It remains uncertain whether Clare's fall was accidental, intentional, or if she was pushed by Irene, who was seen approaching angrily and touching Clare's arm just before the fall.
part 1 chapter 1
New York, October 1927 Irene Redfield gets a note from Clare Kendry, an old friend from her youth. She remembers Clare used to earn a little money running chores for a dressmaker, her father, a heavy drinker, would take these earnings. Clare's father met a violent end, leaving her without an apparent shred of grief aside from an exaggerated display of sorrow. Irene's memory of Clare fluctuates between an emotionally tough girl and a fiercely spontaneous one. In the overly dramatic letter she just received, Clare expresses her wish to meet Irene again and brings up a previous encounter in Chicago two years ago, which visibly upsets Irene. The stamp on the envelope indicates it was sent from New York the previous day, revealing that Clare is in town.
part 1 chapter 2
During a hot August in Chicago in 1925, Irene, who was raised in Chicago's south side, is back in town for a visit. She takes a break from shopping on a hotel rooftop due to the intense summer heat. A couple is seated nearby and the woman, strikingly beautiful, starts staring at Irene. Irene becomes anxious, fearing her secret of passing as white when she is in reality a light-skinned African American might be discovered. If the hotel staff realized she was Black, not Mexican or European, they would politely ask her to leave. The woman approaches Irene and introduces herself as Clare, a childhood acquaintance. Clare is also African American, but lighter than Irene, easily passing as white. Irene recollects that Clare was orphaned in her school years and was looked after by relatives. Rumors circulated later of Clare being seen with affluent white individuals. Clare inquires about Irene's family. Irene, now residing in New York with her husband and two sons, is visiting her widowed father in his south side home. Irene is intrigued about Clare’s life, particularly her decision to pass as white and apparently marry a white man, but is unsure how to pose the question. Without any prompting, Clare shares her tale. Orphaned at sixteen, she was cared for by her two white great aunts, who were deeply religious. Clare’s father was the product of their brother’s short-lived relationship with a Black girl. Clare was made to do most household chores, but her aunts kept her true race a secret. Clare took advantage of being able to pass as white by marrying a white man, "Jack," at eighteen. He was a neighborhood boy who had returned from South America as a wealthy man. Fearing her aunts might reveal her race to Jack, Clare kept her marriage a secret from them. Clare managed to convince Jack that her aunts didn't want her to marry, so they believed she and Jack were living in sin. Clare and Jack have a ten-year-old daughter, Margery. They live out of town, but Jack is in Chicago for business. Irene, despite passing for white, could not imagine being dishonest about her race with a spouse and is repulsed by Clare's choice. Irene has been eager to end the conversation due to another commitment. Clare secures a promise from Irene to meet again the following Tuesday. Clare will call to confirm the details. Irene has no intention of attending the meeting but cannot get in touch with Clare to cancel as she doesn't know Clare's married name.
part 1 chapter 3
Clare persistently calls Irene's home one Tuesday until Irene answers and agrees to meet at Clare's hotel. At the meeting, they're joined by a mutual friend from childhood, Gertrude Martin. Gertrude, a light-skinned African American woman, has aged and gained weight. She's married to a white man who took over his father's meat business. Despite her race being unimportant to her husband, Gertrude was concerned about having a dark-skinned child. She felt relief when her twins, similar to Clare's Margery, were light-skinned. Gertrude shares her husband's dismissive reaction to her concerns, stating, “Of course, nobody wants a dark child.” Irene, offended, reveals one of her sons is dark-skinned. An uncomfortable silence ensues, with Irene affirming her husband is too dark to 'pass'. Clare expertly diverts the conversation. Clare's husband, John Bellew, a hefty man who works in international banking, soon joins them. Bellew addresses Clare using a racially offensive nickname, explaining that Clare appeared very fair when they married but with time has gotten darker. He jests about her possibly turning into a racial slur one day, which leaves the women in hysterics. Irene, particularly, laughs uncontrollably. Clare, with a cautionary look to Irene, encourages Bellew to continue. He assures Clare that he knows she isn't black, while Irene notices an unsettling, dark look on Clare's face. Bellew continues, expressing his and Clare's strong dislike for African Americans, accusing them of crime based on news reports. Irene and Gertrude restrain their shock. The discourse then shifts to comparing Chicago with New York, where Irene's physician husband works. On leaving, Irene and Gertrude concur that Clare's deception is a risky venture, especially given her husband's racial prejudices, unknown to them prior. After parting from Gertrude, Irene remains bitter about Bellew's racist views. She puzzles over the strange look on Clare's face, but decides there are more pressing matters to attend to.
part 1 chapter 4
As Clare prepares to depart for New York the following day, a letter from Clare is delivered to her. The letter apologizes for the previous day's unsavory events, expressing Clare's deep desire to meet with Irene. Clare concedes that Irene's life choices might have been wiser. However, Irene views the letter as disingenuous, tearing it apart and scattering the fragments from her train window. She is determined to snub Clare if she ever encounters her again. Her thoughts wander to her husband Brian, and their children Brian, Jr. and Ted. She hopes that Brian hasn't felt too lonely. His solitude has in the past triggered desires to travel to distant lands. Though this issue has lessened over time, it has not completely disappeared.
part 2 chapter 1
New York, in autumn of 1927, Irene peruses a fresh letter from Clare, which fills her with an unexpected fury. She ponders on her past silence, two years back in Chicago, to Bellew's derogatory remarks and deceptions. She acknowledges her silence was to guard Clare's secret. She was linked to Clare through racial ties, which Clare had attempted to sever. Yet now, she feels she owes Clare naught. “Not another damned thing!” she declaims. Brian enters the room, curious about her uproar. Irene hands him the letter. His response is more philosophical and composed compared to her anger. He advises her to sever all connections with Clare, however, finds amusement in the ignorance of whites like Bellew. He opines that those Black individuals who have merged into the white populace are eventually drawn back to their roots. While Irene is still incensed, she realizes that “passing” is an odd concept. “It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. We shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it.” Irene requests Brian to drive her into town so she can plan for a charity dance. The funds collected will aid impoverished Black individuals. Brian accedes, but his own exasperation seeps out - he is weary of attending to ill patients and their families and their squalid living conditions. He abruptly ends their exchange. Irene senses his resentment, that he holds her responsible for his life; she had persuaded him to establish his medical practice in New York and abandon his aspiration to move to Brazil. Irene believes her actions were for their family's well-being. During the car ride, she plans to divert Brian's attention by proposing he accompany their elder son to Europe for a year of schooling. However, the conversation veers towards the topic of when and how children should be educated about sex, postponing Irene's plans.
part 2 chapter 2
Irene initially ignores Clare's letter and finally decides not to respond. While mulling over her husband's recent dissatisfaction in the evening, Clare unexpectedly shows up. Despite being annoyed, Irene is surprisingly pleased and welcomes her warmly. Yet, when Clare questions Irene's non-response, Irene states it wouldn't be safe for Clare to associate with the Redfields or other Black people in Harlem. Dismissing the safety concern, Clare voices out her isolation, which moves Irene. Nonetheless, Irene warns Clare about the potential threat to her daughter Margery and her marriage. Their talk is cut short by a call from Irene's friend, the renowned white writer, Hugh Wentworth, who intends to come to the benefit dance with his wife. Clare, aware of Wentworth, shows interest in attending the event too, disregarding any risk of being recognized. Initially, Irene objects, but gives in to Clare's plea of loneliness and desire to mingle with her own race. After meeting Irene's boys, Clare departs. Irene gets a call from Brian informing her he'll be dining out. Alone again, Irene contemplates how Brian might react, since he had advised her to keep distance from Clare. She considers the potential complications Clare's attendance at the benefit could lead to, and admires Clare's knack for getting what she wants.
part 2 chapter 3
On the dance night, Clare steals the show at the Redfield's residence in a stunning evening dress, making Irene feel out of place. She observes Brian's appreciation of Clare’s bold fashion choice. At the occasion, Clare is the centre of attention, especially of the Black men, including Brian. During the night, Irene engages in a conversation with Wentworth. Their discussion centres on the strange fascination white women sometimes have for Black men, and the difficulty in differentiating white women from light-skinned Black women who pass off as white. Irene arranges for the Wentworths to give Clare a lift to her hotel, to avoid Brian having to do it. Following the dance gala, Clare becomes a frequent guest at the Redfield's house. Her circumstances allow this, with her daughter studying in Switzerland and her businessman husband often away. Clare quickly becomes a beloved figure among the Redfield’s two boys and their servant girls. Irene doesn't approve of Clare’s disregard for social norms but keeps quiet. Brian, amused by Clare, denies finding her particularly attractive when Irene questions him. Clare is well-liked in their social group. As time passes, Irene's fears about Clare’s secret being exposed diminish. However, the Bellews plan to return to Europe come spring, a prospect Clare is unhappy about, despite Irene’s reminder about seeing her daughter Margery again. Clare appreciates Irene’s kindness, admitting she’s selfish and can be harmful to others in pursuit of her desires, leading her to break down in tears.
part 3 chapter 1
In the mild New York December of 1927, Irene grows concerned over her husband Brian's uncharacteristic moodiness and quick temper, especially with their sons. For the first time, she finds herself puzzled about his thoughts. Her sleep is interrupted by Brian, who reminds her of the upcoming party they've arranged for Hugh Wentworth, with Clare already downstairs. Irene hadn't invited Clare intentionally, believing Hugh finds her bothersome, favoring intelligent women instead. Brian, however, reveals he invited Clare, thinking Irene simply forgot. Suddenly, Irene suspects an affair between Brian and Clare. She manages to maintain her hostess role despite the swirling feelings of betrayal and questions about the impact on her and their sons. When she sees Hugh observing a friendly chat between Brian and Clare, she accidentally drops and breaks a teacup. Covering up, she tells Hugh she dropped it deliberately, and carries on with the party until its conclusion.
part 3 chapter 2
During the holidays, Irene doubts the idea of an affair between Brian and Clare due to lack of proof. She convinces herself that Brian's aloofness is not unfaithfulness, but merely his usual restlessness. With Bellew's return from Canada, Clare stops visiting the Redfields, but Irene wants her gone from the city entirely. Despite her desire for Clare's departure, Irene can't bring herself to tell Bellew about Clare's Harlem visits. For the first time, she curses her Blackness, finding herself obligated to safeguard other Black individuals' secrets. She won't expose Clare but hopes her secret gets revealed.
part 3 chapter 3
Irene finds herself downtown with her darker-skinned friend, Felise Freeland, when they unexpectedly cross paths with Bellew. He greets Irene warmly but, upon seeing Felise, realizes that Irene is also Black. Felise finds humor in Irene's "passing", however, Irene feels frustrated she missed the chance to introduce Bellew as "Clare's husband". Her racial commitment hindered her. She contemplates telling Clare of their encounter, but lacks a secure method. She plans to share the incident with Brian, yet hesitates for some reason. She frets about potential outcomes. If Bellew were to divorce Clare and leave her single, it would be a catastrophe in Irene's eyes. In an ideal scenario, Clare would somehow pass away. Faced with the risk Clare poses to her tranquil family life, Irene drifts off to sleep.
part 3 chapter 4
A blizzard rages throughout the day. At dinner, Brian and Ted converse about a lynching incident mentioned in the newspaper. Irene, however, protests that such horrific events should be withheld from the children until they're older. Brian criticizes her stance, asserting that if she won't allow him to relocate the family to a safer place than "this hellish place," he should at least ready them for the harsh realities they'll encounter. He pleads, “Don’t make me give up everything.” Irene reads a deeper meaning in his words, discerning an underlying reference to his relationship with Clare. Clare makes an appearance, planning to join the Redfields for a party at the Freelands' penthouse. She informs them that her attendance is possible only because her husband is in Philadelphia. Irene, apprehensive, questions Clare about her course of action if her husband discovers her racial identity. Clare asserts that she would opt to live in Harlem, the only thing holding her back being Margery. She declares, “She’s all that holds me back. But if Jack finds out, if our marriage is broken, that lets me out.” Irene finds clarity in Clare’s words, deducing that Clare and Brian have been unfaithful. She vows to shield her family from Clare's threat and feels relieved about keeping her chance meeting with Bellew a secret. Irene resolves to maintain the status quo as her best strategy to keep Clare tied to Bellew until they depart for Europe. The party at Freelands is abuzz, but Irene finds no pleasure in it, disturbed by the way Clare and Brian interact. She opens a large window for ventilation. The gathering is abruptly disturbed by the entrance of John Bellew who aggressively confronts Clare, using a racial slur. Felise intervenes, warning Bellew, “Careful. You’re the only white man here.” Clare remains composed by the open window, her serene smile incenses Irene who impulsively approaches Clare and touches her arm. Clare plunges out of the window. Bellew's initial shock gives way to grief as he calls out Clare's derogatory pet name. Irene remains upstairs while the others rush downstairs. She feels no remorse for Clare's demise, yet struggles to recall the incident. She ponders, “What would the others think? That Clare had fallen? That she had deliberately leaned backward? Certainly one or the other. Not—” Irene can't bring herself to consider that she may have been responsible for Clare's fall. She mutters, “It was an accident, a terrible accident.” Eventually, she descends the stairs. An official is questioning the crowd surrounding Clare's body. A guest suggests that Clare simply fainted and fell. The official inquires, “You’re sure she fell?” Irene, noticing Bellew's absence, quickly responds, “No, no!” she says. “She just fell, before anybody could stop her.” After a long wait, she hears the official label the death as a probable accident.
