Published in 1929, Nella Larsen's' novel "Passing" tells a story of two very similar African American women and their two very different experiences of "crossing" the race line. With admiring use of irony and symbolism, Larsen is able to deal with themes such as identity, race, sexuality and class distinction in an educated and entertaining format. All these social issues and problems seemingly to culminate in the end to ask the question; is what person you are inside defined by your race on the outside?
             From the beginning of the novel we are to see that the ability of "passing" is not only given by Larsen to Clare Kendry, but to Irene Redfield as well. Her intended brief glass of tea on the hotel terrace shows that Irene can and is willing to pass for white when the situation calls for and is needed. As stated in the book if they were to find that she was black they would have asked her in the most pleasant of manner to please leave. The only difference between the two being the length and severity they are willing to go with there charade.
             I believe that this "ability" given to some African Americans to pass as white in it self creates a whole new race of people, the whites, the blacks, and then the passed. To pass as someone of different race then your own can and is considered by most of your race, an insult to your heritage and culture. To pass means that you have accepted to live your life as a lie. It also means that you have accepted the fact that you will disown yourself to your people and your past. You are trying to join a race that you would never be accepted as a part of. They are not white, and they have almost completely rejected the ways of their black friends and family, so they seem to be an altogether different race. This is what Clare Kendry has done in the novel and this is what makes her passing different form that of Irene.
             Clare has in essence s...