Nella Larsen’s Tragic Mulatto: Understanding the Purpose of Clare Kendry in Passing Kristen Barrett 12th Grade

Passing by Nella Larsen tells the story of Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, two light-skinned women with contrasting lives during the Harlem Renaissance. As a Harlem resident, Irene Redfield prides herself on her dedication to African American people and their culture. From her point of view, marrying a black man and living in a black community affirms her loyalty to her people. Conversely, Clare Kendry lives outside of Harlem and chooses to “pass” as a white woman, relishing in the white privileges acquired through her deceit. When Larsen causes the women’s lives to converge, she creates a compelling novella about African American women in this time. Simply, Passing is a mulatto story following the rise and fall of its tragic figure: Clare Kendry. By characterizing her tragic mulatto figure through Irene Redfield’s biased perspective, Nella Larsen critiques conventional African American female roles during the Harlem Renaissance to present her support of womanism.

In Passing, Clare ostensibly fills the role of the archetypal tragic mulatto, yet Irene’s perception of her adds complexity to Clare’s characterization. Tragic mulatto characters typically evoke eroticism and represent sexuality in their respective stories (Nittle)....