Jan 2018 BOTM: Passing

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads]

Kristel wrote: "Kelly wrote: "So, I had The Human Stain as my TBR challenge read. It also has Passing as a theme."

I enjoyed The Human Stain and I remember the theme of “passing”. Did you like it?"

Yes, I liked it quite a lot. This was the first time I read Roth.

[Kristel]

Kelly wrote: "Kristel wrote: "Kelly wrote: "So, I had The Human Stain as my TBR challenge read. It also has Passing as a theme."

I enjoyed The Human Stain and I remember the theme of “passing”. Did..."
His books all very, some better than others.

[Anita]

Here's my review - - I look forward to joining in the discussion later today.

************
This book is a small gem that well deserves its place in Boxall's 1001 Books to Read Before You Die.

We meet Irene and Clare, childhood friends, who took separate paths in life and end up reconnecting at a hotel restaurant in Chicago. Irene lives in Harlem with her black husband and two sons. Clare is married to a white man who is unaware that she is black. Both Irene and Clare are light enough to pass as white in society, but one is completely engaged in the Harlem social life and the other is effectively barred from her own people because of her marital choice. When Clare feels the need to return to her roots, she sees Irene as the agent for doing so, and let's just say, the situation is much more fraught with tension than you'd anticipate.

I loved Larsen's writing style. She uses the third person, but in a way that it feels like Irene is actually narrating. Irene's character is incredibly well developed. The reader is truly brought to understand her misgivings about race, her marriage, and Clare's newfound presence in her life. We understand her thinking and her decisions and empathize with her pain.

An unexpected ending caps off a very strong, but short read.

I truly found it hard to believe this book was written in the 1920's. It felt so contemporary in many ways.

[Anita]

Jen wrote: "Given the fact that we are all discussing this...


why did the author end the book the way she did?

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[. (hide spoiler)]

[Anita]

MaryAnn (EmilyD1037) wrote: "

I believe that she wanted it open for the reader's discretion.
This book/story is based on her real life and her marriage to
a white man failed when he found out she was "passing". I also thought..."

(view spoiler)[Fascinating! I definitely didn't think it was suicide so I love that we saw this ending differently. The reason I didn't think so is the conversation between Clare and Irene where Irene asks whether Clare had ever considered what would happen if her husband found out she wasn't white. Clare indicates that in some way, she'd be very accepting of that fate and that it would free her. And when Irene asks a follow-up question about the daughter, it becomes clear that Margery is the only thing holding her back from revealing the secret herself, but based on the risks she was taking, she clearly wasn't putting Margery's interests front and center either.

On the flip side, Irene had a LOT to lose if Clare was freed from her commitment to her husband . . .she was a real threat to Irene's marriage and the nuclear family that Irene truly values very highly.

There were some specific quotes in the scene itself where the death occurs that also made me feel that Irene did push her.

(hide spoiler)]

[Anita]

Jen wrote: "It has been suggested that Passing uses race more as a device to sustain suspense than as a compelling social issue. Do you agree? Why or why not? "

I actually agree with this statement, but that is somewhat without really knowing the historical context at all.

The author drives the whole plot line by virtue of whether Clare's husband will or will not discover her secret. It's an excellent setup, but I didn't feel like the author really was making a huge social statement. Obviously Clare feels the loss of identity as she tries to reconnect with her roots, so there is some social commentary in there, and we see Irene's reaction to the situation which touches on the issue, but I do think that the role "passing" played in the story really created a lot of the reason to keep turning the pages. The scene where the husband admits his views about black people is the starting point, and honestly I couldn't stop reading after that because the foreshadowing just in that scene is outstanding. I think for Larsen, the story came first and the social commentary was second.

[Anita]

Kelly wrote: "Kristel wrote: "I agree with Chinook. John is the biggest racist in this book and he is horrible. And he is just horrible as a man and husband. Calling his wife names. I don’t think there is any ex..."

Agree, Kelly. It's pretty much the norm for people to try to assimilate because it paves the way to an easier life all around. I don't think "passing" is that much different (though obviously harder to do because skin color is more revealing than say religion differences or language differences etc.). But I can also see how those people who embrace their culture more strongly might feel abandoned by those who assimilate more completely. I think there's a tension there that is unavoidable.

[Anita]

Kristel wrote: "Jen, when I read the book, I think that the author didn’t necessarily put as much thought into the book as we are doing. She wanted to write and she did. From what I understand, she got shot down i..."

I agree with your comments here, Kristel. My gut feel is that this woman was truly a writer first. She wrote what she knew, but she made sure her storytelling was the first priority. By using what she knew (race), she created a compelling classic that was way more interesting, but my sense of her as a writer is she was making sure the reader stayed fully engaged and was empathetic to her protagonist. I loved her writing.

[Chili]

Passing functions as a metaphor with several layers of meaning. What are they? How do they relate to each other? Several people have already mentioned one meaning. what are the others?

Passing as a different race, passing away. Basically you are passing yourself off as something your not.

2. Whose story is this? Clare’s or Irene’s? From whose perspective if the story narrated and how does this strategy affect the story?

It is Irene's story. It is told from her point of view. we get her thoughts and feelings, but not Clare's. Irene is an unreliable narrator, her portrayal of Clare is biased.
3: In what ways is the notion of performance part of the book's content and structure? Who is performing and for whom?

Clare is performing for everyone. Her whole life is one big performance. Irene is performing for Clare and other people. She is performing the ideal wife and mother.

Q1: What are your expectations for this book? Have you read her other book?

I have no expectations. I have never heard of this author.

Q2: Have you heard of the term "passing" and if so, in what context.

I have heard of the term passing in reference to a light skinned African American passing as white. I don't remember where I heard it, t.v. or a book.

Q3: This book is set in 1920s Harlem. What do you know about Harlem of the 1920? What sort of expectations do you have from knowing this is the setting (what will the book be about,

When I hear 1920's Harlem, the only thing that comes to mind is the movie The Cotton Club. I think it was set during that time, but I'm not sure, I never saw the movie. So I don't really know anything about it and have not expectations.

Notice the relationship between Irene and Clare. What is it based on?

Clare and Irene's relationship starts out based on proximity. They are friends because they live near each other. Once Clare moves away the friendship fades. As adults, Clare bullies Irene into a relationship. I think Irene accepts this because she is envious of Clare's ability to get what she wants and to take chances.

5. What are the female characters’ perspectives on motherhood?

Irene seems to think of motherhood as an important part of her life. She loves her children and their well being is important. Clare seems to think motherhood was a part of the bargain for marrying John. She doesn't seem to have any maternal instincts.

6. What are Irene’s attitudes in terms of race? Are they any different from John Bellew’s?

Irene's attitude toward race is the opposite of John Bellew's. She has both white and black friends. Although she seems a bit naive about it. She doesn't want Brian to talk to the boys about lynchings, she wants them to have a happy childhood, which is not very realistic. Ignorance of reality could get them killed.

7. As a character, is Clare Kendry meant to be admired or criticized within the broader context of the narrative?

Neither. Our only facts and insights about Clare come from Irene.
We don't know any of Clare's thoughts or feelings. We don't know what truly motivates her. I don't think we can honestly admire or criticize her without out knowing her.

why did the author end the book the way she did?

(view spoiler)[ I think the author wants us to come to our own conclusion. I think Irene pushed her. She couldn't risk Clare being free. She had been willing to share Brian, as long as no one knew. She would do what was needed to keep her nice orderly life. Clare was a survivor, she would have found a way to get through whatever she had to./spoiler<>

Mod
It has been suggested that Passing uses race more as a device to sustain suspense than as a compelling social issue. Do you agree? Why or why not?

No. The author is writing from her own perspective. As an African American women, race was a part of her everyday life.

Passing
4 stars

Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry knew each other as girls in Chicago. Clare moved away after the death of her father and they lost touch with each other. As adults they run into each other by chance in Chicago. Both women are married with children, but living very different lives. Clare married a rich white man and she is passing as white. Irene married within her race and is doing well. Her husband is a doctor and she has two sons. Clare is the one who pursues a relationship with Irene. She seems to be searching for connections that are missing from her passing life. She married a racist and has to listen to his hateful rants about her race. By passing, Clare was denying who she was and sought to connect to her true identity through her friendship with Irene. She wasn't really fond of Irene, she was in the relationship for purely selfish reasons. She had no consideration for Irene's feelings. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Q1: What are your expectations for this book? Have you read her other book? No, this is my first

Q2: Have you heard of the term "passing" and if so, in what context.
My first recollection of the term, was in Queen the miniseries and North and South the miniseries as a child, by Alex Hayley and John Jakes respectively. So I’ve heard it before, in this context, and since I was fairly young.

Q3: This book is set in 1920s Harlem. What do you know about Harlem of the 1920? What sort of expectations do you have from knowing this is the setting (what will the book be about, etc)?
My expectations of anything set in a northern city in the 20’s is the Roaring 20’s, flappers, some cultural diversity and partying, etc. Sorry, but that’s my first thought about that age.🤷‍♀️

[Melissa]

Addition question 1. Passing functions as a metaphor with several layers of meaning. What are they? How do they relate to each other? Several people have already mentioned one meaning. what are the others?

Passing a test, and passing as white (or in any other way passing to be included in the majority instead of a subgroup/disinfranchised group) to me has always meant that you could pass the test by the majority to be accepted as one of their own and therefore not discriminated against or otherwise disenfranchised. In American history it’s often used predominantly as a light skinned African American being able to look and act enough ‘white’ to cross the color line and be treated as white, as opposed to the 1 drop of blood rule always equaling ‘black’. However, it’s comes up many times in history, there are many stories for instance of Jews ‘passing’ in Holocaust Germany, and I’m sure at some point we will more openly discuss gay people who got married and had children to ‘pass’ as heterosexual. I read Redefining Realness last year by Janet Mock who openly discusses being female-enough to ‘pass’ with less stigma, as a transgender person, than some of her peers. Sadly our society has a bad habit of always separateing us from them, and granting more rights to ‘us’, which will always lead to people feeling they need to pass to obtain equal rights, privileges, etc.

I should add here that this topic comes up sometimes in disability discussions too, can you ‘pass’ for normal, ie have an invisible disease, or are you very easy to pick out of a crowd. In those discussions it’s a very 2-edged sword as well, it’s nice not to have to explain your medical history to everyone and just go about your life (pass), but when you are having a bad day people then often don’t believe you, feeling that you look normal and your disability is made-up, in your head, etc because you ‘look’ normal.



2. Whose story is this? Clare’s or Irene’s? From whose perspective if the story narrated and how does this strategy affect the story?

Both, but it’s told through Irene’s eyes and her interpretation of Clare’s actions and motives. So all of Clare’s actions are seen through Irene’s filter.

[Melissa]

My interpretation of the ending... (view spoiler)[

Irene emphasizes that her hand was on Clare’s arm. I think Clare pushed her/pulled her back, but not purposefully or conciously to kill her, as much as she didn’t want Clare single to maybe run off with her husband. I think she lept forward to push/pull Clare back to get in between her and her husband, an instinctive gesture to protect her, to intervene for her in that moment since she didn’t warn her before....that just went horribly wrong. As much as she didn’t want Clare around at that point, I can’t see how she would have opened the window, known her husband would burst in, and happen to have all the pieces perfectly lined up to have consciously planned it as a murder.

So my gut reaction, was she did the same thing you might do if you saw a child reaching for a hot burner, or a snapping dog, she instinctively pushed/yanked her back out of the way and unfortunately there was an open window right behind her, perfectly lined up, at apparently ankle height. I’d guess considering her internal thoughts just before, Irene will always feel responsible.

In this story, I think it’s left open because all involved are at some fault.... responsible for her death... just as everyone in society was responsible for the society that put her in that limbo world. The husband who couldn’t accept who she was, the friend who felt jealous and guilly, etc. All were responsible for her being in her circumstance, with no safety net to catch her... So just as society was complicit in her situation, all the players representing it were complicit in her death to various degrees. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane]

Melissa wrote: "I should add here that this topic comes up sometimes in disability discussions too, can you ‘pass’ for normal, ie have an invisible disease, or are you very easy to pick out of a crowd."

I hadn't really thought of it in terms of disability. I have become disabled within the last year and it is of the obvious variety. I am a person who does not like to call attention to myself so the additional stares and comments have really added to my discomfort. Returning to work "with accommodations" was particularly hard. I do find myself frequently pretending to appear non-impaired in an attempt to blend in but I find it next to impossible. I do know people with disabilities of the "invisible" variety so I can definitely see the flip side.

[Melissa]

Diane wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I should add here that this topic comes up sometimes in disability discussions too, can you ‘pass’ for normal, ie have an invisible disease, or are you very easy to pick out of a cr..."

I have a neuromuscular disorder. On a good day I can look fairly normal on the outside, on a bad day no way. I’ve had this condition since birth, and found myself slammed from both ends at times....people who assumed I was normal and faking for attention (including school teachers as a child), yelled at for parking in handicapped because I must be driving a family members car and stealing the spot... to the bad days where people have assumed I was drunk or on drugs because my condition was more pronounced. Sadly you can’t win, so do what you need to do for you....protect yourself.

For us we can’t purposefully pass.....but I know many who have for as long as they could, because once it’s on your medical documentation it’s a pre-existing condition and you could until recently lose your health insurance (in the US and may again before long). So I’ve heard of docter’s telling patients, you have early MS symptoms (for instance), but until they get worse I’m not going to put that in your medical record because then it will be counted as a pre-existing condition and no longer covered by your insurance. Sad, but a fact of the US healthcare system.

[Hilde]

Very late to the party, picked up the book yesterday, and finished it today without reading any of the comments before finishing it.

I didn't have any expectations going in, as I hadn't heard of the book before the voting process. But now I am glad I bought the kindle deal and have her other books to look forward to. Very much enjoyed this short, but powerful book - glad it was chosen! Ended up giving it a solid 4 star.

I had heard of the term "passing" in this context, but was not aware of the term being used for transgenders etc. So thank you all for the insight, makes sense. My insight into 1920s Harlem was also rather low, except for knowing that it was a cultural center for the black community back then (and jazz of course).

I agree with previous comments that it is quite hard to comprehend that you had to "pass" as white to get access to certain restaurants and other social arrangements, neverless fearing that your child might not get the "right" color.

As for whose story it is, I would say it's their both. But we have to rely on Irene to get Claires point of view, and with her being an unreliable narrator much was left to my imagination.

As for who is performing, I agree with the comments above: Everyone!

I also felt sometimes that Irene was attracted to Claire, but I don't know if it was sexual attraction or just jealousy.

As for the ending, I guess it is safe not to use spoiler tags now: I think Irene pushed Claire.