Nella Larsen’s Passing discusses the reunion between two women, Clare and Irene, who can identify as black, but are capable of passing as white. While Clare officially passes as white, Irene only passes when it is convenient for her. Throughout the story, the women’s experiences exemplify the tensions that arise from having a black identity. These women succeed in passing as white illustrating that race is a social construct rather than a reality since they are not constricted to one race.
In Barbara Field’s essay “Slavery, Race and Ideology in the United States of America” she argues that race is an ideology, which develops to justify slavery and social class. Black people are viewed as inferior in society when the ideology of race is rationalized. Fields writes, “Race is not an idea but an ideology. It came into existence at a discernable historical moment for rationality understandable historical reasons and is subject to change for similar reasons” (101). While it is unnatural to be racist, a sense of tolerance towards racism appears when there are explanations for slavery. Fields also argues that physical attributes are not biologically or genetically connected to race (96). This perspective on race is confirmed through Clare and Irene’s experiences in the story.
Race is first …show more content…
After he refers to his wife in a derogatory manner by calling her “Nig,” he goes on to express his loathing towards black people. John says, “I don’t dislike them, I hate them…they give me the creeps. The black scrimy devils” (1099). John declares his hatred of black people in a room with three black women, who he believes are white. He is so oblivious that he is not aware that his own wife is black. Even though the women could pass as white, realistically they are black, signifying that race is
In Barbara Field’s essay “Slavery, Race and Ideology in the United States of America” she argues that race is an ideology, which develops to justify slavery and social class. Black people are viewed as inferior in society when the ideology of race is rationalized. Fields writes, “Race is not an idea but an ideology. It came into existence at a discernable historical moment for rationality understandable historical reasons and is subject to change for similar reasons” (101). While it is unnatural to be racist, a sense of tolerance towards racism appears when there are explanations for slavery. Fields also argues that physical attributes are not biologically or genetically connected to race (96). This perspective on race is confirmed through Clare and Irene’s experiences in the story.
Race is first …show more content…
After he refers to his wife in a derogatory manner by calling her “Nig,” he goes on to express his loathing towards black people. John says, “I don’t dislike them, I hate them…they give me the creeps. The black scrimy devils” (1099). John declares his hatred of black people in a room with three black women, who he believes are white. He is so oblivious that he is not aware that his own wife is black. Even though the women could pass as white, realistically they are black, signifying that race is