Desperation in Passing by Nella Larsen (Essay Example)

In the story “Passing” written by Nella Larsen, explores a different kind of desperation. Being born into a world of criticizing racial categories and constantly arguing with each other for privilege, authority, and security. Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, who are two light-skinned Black women, childhood friends, and living separate lives. One reckless, flirtatious and courageous; the other contained, proper and guarded. Clare lives in a house that is infiltrated by the white race and is married to a racist scoundrel, who she knows would definitely not approve, nor appreciate, her past or her historic and possibly present connections. As the story goes on, an abnormal friendship begins to be created again despite the conflicts that the relationship might bring.

Throughout the story, the author has a few defiant moments. The foreshadowing in Clare's speech, where she forms the idea that she is a potential threat while having a conversation with Irene. The passage states: "Can't you realize that I'm not like you a bit? Why, to get the things I want badly enough, I'd do anything, hurt anybody, throw anything away. Really, 'Rene, I'm not safe." One can feel the desperation in Clare as she has this conversation with Irene. It is clear that Clare is desperate to fit in, but also desperate to not lose the person that she was in the past. Also, Clare’s money problems had a big impact on any type of relationship that she could have had with her father. Unfortunately, wealth mattered a great deal to Clare’s father, and since Clare did not have very much money, there was no hope for a relationship with him. 

Clare’s choices are made based on desperation and ambition. The act of desperation that Clare is feeling, influences her to refuse to fully live by the rules of passing, dismissing the idea of fully leaving the world she came from behind. Clare’s poor upbringing made her desperate to escape the life she had, and turn it into the one she has now. Her being poor ruined any chance of a relationship she could have had with her father. She clings to the benefits of “passing” because it makes her feel secure and safe. Clare lived in a home with her white husband, who belittled her race. She wanted more from her pitiful life, and so she went after it, later making it a permanent break. 

 In contrast, Irene has decided to live carefully inside her own world, not really taking any risks. She is continuously watching what she does or says. She is also afraid that her husband will tell their children about the racial issues that are happening out in the world and in their town. She has been trying to shield them from the hideous face that is racism, but the thought that she could potentially protect two black boys in Harlem is a signal that she has detached herself from reality. Irene’s desperation involving the thought of protecting her children’s innocence from racism has taken over her way of living. Irene's mindset gets strained as her contact with Clare deepens. She begins to feel that the newcomer is threatening the life she has built with her own hands.

Overall, desperation is manifested through Clare more than in Irene. Clare’s desperation to live an ideal life caused her to lose herself, and caused her to make savage decisions that in the end did not give her any benefits outside of materialistic values and viewpoints. Irene’s desperation, on the other hand, caused her to become stressed and trapped in her own mind. Her desperation about her children not knowing about the racial world had basically consumed her mind, body, and soul. Both of the women’s desperation took over their entire lives as they fell into the world's morals.