Passing 

Passing
Nella Larsen
New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2007
Rare Book Collection
Vanderbilt University Special Collections

Nella Larsen’s most famous novel, Passing, handles themes of passing, racism, class, sexuality, and gender. Set in 1920s Harlem, the book tells the story of the unexpected reunion between Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, two Black women who were childhood friends and grew up to live different lives. While Irene maintains her identity as a Black, middle-class woman, Clare crosses the color line, passing as a white woman and going on to marry a bigoted white man. As Clare continues to spend time with Irene and her Black socialite community, suspense builds with the increasing possibility of Clare’s husband learning that she passes as white. The book ends in tragedy after he makes this discovery.

Passing
Nella Larsen
Salem, Oregon: Chemeketa Press, 2018
Rare Book Collection
Vanderbilt University Special Collections