Passing

by Nella Larsen

When I read their relationship, I think of the Toni Morrison quote on female friendship—that there is always the friend who transgresses, and the friend who watches her transgression. But the genius of this book is that the question becomes, who is transgressing? Clare, or Irene? Or both women? Clare may be the physical embodiment of the trap of believing the lies a white supremacist society feeds black women. But Irene’s transgressions are more intimate. Her sexual jealousy of Clare that borders on the erotic and her deep rage at both of their circumstances skirt “acceptable” emotions from black women in literature. Irene may present as an elegant, society matron. But inside she is that figure that is despised and ridiculed in American culture—the angry black woman.