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Daniel Le
Professor Olson
English 114B
28 March 2015
Identity Matters
Identity isnt just about race or ethnicity, but the characteristics that help construct
the individual. In the novel Passing by Nella Larsen, Clare Kendry is passing her identity
and lying to her husband as difficult times permeates the entire nation. It wasnt just
Clare Kendrys physical attributes that changed, but her entire personality and
characteristics. Clare Kendry had to change her entire identity to live a well stable life
and to refrain from all the injustices and prejudices towards the black race. It is easy to
see why identity is chaotic when you examine each and everyone trying to pass during
periods of difficulty.
During the Harlem Renaissance, many historical black figures came to be famous
while others were pushed around and treated with unfairness. Clare Kendry passed off
her identity and chose to guide herself as a wealthy white woman, but that lead to many
complications. Clare was then forced to lie to John, her husband, about her identity and
characteristics. Identity shouldnt be treated as a joke, but a way of defying a person.
Most people take pride into their identity yet Clare Kendry wants to take no part of her
identity whatsoever. Although slavery was the status of most of the Africans who arrived
in the early stages of the colony's development, it was not long before a free black
population began to emerge. As slaves, they could marry, bear primary responsibility for
child rearing, and hire themselves out for wages (Watkins 53). I believe what Watkins

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trying to say is, even though they were slaves, they were still people. Clare shouldnt be
ashamed by the color of her skin but embrace it, as black people are considered human
beings as well. Clare is living in a messed up life already, she dug a hole to deep and
cannot climb out. She was treating her identity unfairly as well. For example, she
shouldnt be walking around with servants, as that was a sign of power back then. She
didnt have much respect for her identity, but she sure did miss her culture. After passing
Clare Kendry was seen as a beautiful women, a figure of power, and super wealthy, but
characteristics can be altered as the person changes their identity.
The passing process was found to be quite common and very active. Many black
figures would try there best to act and look white to gain privileges and to live wealthier
then they ever could. With identity comes responsibility, but Clare Kendry seems to use it
for power and fame. Characteristic is the traits of a person and the key factor that
determines whether the person is good or bad. For example, Clare Kendry is later seen
with John at a party and John comes in by calling her a nig, which caused discomfort
with Irene Redfield. Her husband came in and used many racial slurs discriminating the
black culture and Clare stood there uneasy as John was saying all this. Clare did nothing
to stop her husband, which showed that she was in favor for what her husband had to say.
Clare was showing her bad characteristics and everybody knew that she tried nothing to
stop her husband. Passing identification is one thing, but to discriminate her past identity
was a really low thing to do. That was because Clare saw her identity and characteristics
different then before. Characteristics define a person and in this case, Clare Kendry is
somewhat seen as a traitor to her identity, as she is truthful towards herself.

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Not only being of black culture limiting, but characteristics are confusing and
mixed. Clare Kendry was treated unfairly by her husband and was tossed around, as if
she was nothing. Clare would take her maids out with her to run errands and started
talking a lot with her friend Irene. John views the white culture more high ended then the
black culture. He believes that the white characteristics are the way to go and black
characteristics shouldnt exist at all. Clare has been living in a world full of lies and
mischievous acts and the only way to feel free was to go else where away from the
trouble. It seems that no matter what historic period is under consideration, the life of a
Black woman is a complex existence. Far too often, it is misunderstood and
underappreciated (Sabir 72). Irene lived in New York City with her husband and two
kids and they were successful. Husband had a job as a doctor and Irene was a stay at
home mother. Irene didnt have to pas because she had a great life already. From Irenes
point of view, Clare was seen as a traitor and her characteristics were seen out of place.
Clare was seen running good for a person who has never walked. Irene had an angels
characteristic, fair, strong, and very wise. Characteristics were vital as they determined
the personal traits of a person.
Clare Kendry was living in a life of despair and Irene had known. Irene had
pleaded that Clare tell the truth to John before anything else could happen. Irene was
trying to right the wrong that Clare had done. Soon enough things get out of hand and
Clare and Irene become best friends and end up going to many events together such as
the Negro Welfare League dance. Clare reminisced about the good times she had as a
black citizen. Clare finally had opened up her true characteristics to Irene Redfield. The
N.W.L was a dance put together by Irene Redfield and it shows appreciation and support

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for every black citizen that went through hard times and a celebration to the black culture.
It was amazing to see someone like Clare Kendry show up at a party, such as the N.W.L
dance. Irene didnt feel good about Clare butting in on her life and hopes that she eases
out slowly. It wasnt until the end gathering in which Clare had broken down. John had
found out that the entire time they have been together, Clare had been lying to John the
entire time. John had found out that his wife was black and felt as if he had been tricked
and toyed with. Clare had finally admitted that she had been wrong and she was trying to
fix the many mistakes she had made before. Her characteristics seem to open up the more
she talked with Irene. Clare had finally came clean and her identity and personality has
been set to whom she truly was. Clare was a bit scared and feeling as if she had just lifted
a huge weight off her shoulders, but finally she is free. I felt as if Clares identity was
finally truly shown and her characteristics were finally set. Characteristics are the
foundations of a persons life.
Changing identity is as bad as falling out a window. Clare Kendry had to lie
because she was facing so many hardships at the time. Her characteristics were confusing
at first, but then she came out clean and is now free of the past mistakes that she has
caused. Clare had to go through many changes to gain her wealth and she had to hire
other people to do her work, but that was the Clare we knew at the beginning. Clare was
going through a rough time at the period and she had hit rock bottom, but hitting rock
bottom isnt a bad thing. Its a chance to start over on a clean slate, but in Clares state its
too late. It is easy to see why identity is chaotic when you examine each and everyone
trying to pass during periods of difficulty. Characteristics change but the person will
always remain who they are. Even if they do pass, you can never get rid of your old roots.

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Characteristics are seen as personality that defines a person. Clare Kendry has finally
found peace of mind and now she is free from all the injustice she had been living
through. Identity isnt just about race or ethnicity, but the characteristics that help
construct the individual.

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Work Cited
Echeruo, Michael J C. Modernism, blackface, and the postcolonial condition. Research
in African Literatures 27:1 (November 1996) p.172

Sabir, Wanda. Shining For the World to See. Black Issues in Higher Education 13:9
(May 1996) p.72

Wall, Cheryl A. Women of the Harlem Renaissance. Research in African Literatures

27:2 (September 1996) p.224-225

Watkins, Ralph. A Survey of the African American Presence in the History of the
Downstate New York Area. Afro-Americans in New York Life and History 15:1
(January 1991) p.53