Passing

The first two chapters introduce Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, two African-American women who, because of their lighter skin tones, are able to pass as white. The two women were acquaintances while young, and a chance encounter one hot day in Chicago brings them together again. Though Irene only passes for white occasionally, Clare Kendry has made a new life out of pretending to be white.

Before the narrative fully explains the concept of passing, the reader is allowed a glimpse of Clare Kendry from Irene’s perspective. We are given a picture of Clare as a somewhat careless, even dangerous individual who only looks out for herself. Irene realizes that Clare’s entrance into her life poses too much of a risk, and so decides not to see her again if possible.

Though Irene passes for white only in order to get out of the hot sun and have tea, she is alarmed by Clare’s intense attention, and wonders if Clare realizes that she is African-American. She then disregards her fear, calling the whole thing silly. However, this moment highlights the fear and danger that those who pass constantly face; the fear of being exposed. Irene would be kicked out of the café, not to mention the feeling of shame on her part. Her failure to recognize Clare also highlights how successful people—particularly Clare—c can be at passing for white.

Irene has decided that she will not see Clare again, regardless of the promise she made. When Tuesday—the day of the tea party—arrives, however, the phone begins to ring. The maid tells Irene that it is Clare, and Irene tells the maid to inform Clare that she is out of the house. This back-and-forth goes on for quite some time, until Irene finally accepts the call. Once Irene accepts the call, she also accepts Clare’s invitation to tea, though she is annoyed with herself for doing so. When Irene arrives for tea, however, she finds herself happy to see Clare. Entering the hotel room, Irene finds that Clare has also invited Gertrude Martin, another old acquaintance who can pass for white. Gertrude has also married a white man, but her husband knows that she is black, and accepts it. The tea party gets underway with several bumps and starts, as Irene and Gertrude do not get along. Gertrude and Clare discuss their fear of giving birth since their children might be born with dark skin. Though Gertrude’s husband will accept their child no matter what, Gertrude sums up what she and Clare are both thinking when she says that “nobody wants a dark child” (36). This talk about skin tone angers Irene, who informs them that her husband is dark-skinned, as is one of her children.

The conversation begins to lag, and Irene is on the point of leaving when Clare’s husband, John Bellew, arrives. John bursts into the room and immediately startles both Gertrude and Irene when he refers to Clare as “Nig.” Irene is furious, and wonders if John knows about his wife’s ethnicity and uses the slur playfully. It is revealed that John calls Clare “Nig” because he thinks her skin is getting darker and darker. John is a vehement racist, and openly admits to hating black people, though he has never met any. Irene feels as if she might give Clare’s true identity away as a result of her anger. She wants to defend African-Americans, but sees the warning signs from Clare and attempts to calm herself. When Irene and Gertrude leave, they talk about the risk Clare is taking, not only by passing, but by marrying an openly racist white man.

In the fourth chapter, Irene is preparing to return to her life in New York when she receives a note from Clare. It is the day after the horrible tea party. Though the note does not apologize for John’s behavior at the tea party, Clare does attempt to explain how sorry she is for not being able to socialize with black people.