Negotiating Race and Desire:

Identity and Sexuality in Nella Larsen’s Passing

Abstract

This study explores the complexity of racial and sexual identity in Nella Larsen’s novel Passing, focusing on the lives of two mixed-race women: Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Using a qualitative descriptive approach and close reading method, the research analyzes how these characters navigate a racially divided American society in the early 20th century. Irene chooses to retain her Black identity for social security, while Clare "passes" as white to gain economic comfort and social status. Their internal and social conflicts reveal the deep struggles between authenticity, personal desire, and societal pressure. The study also highlights the novel’s queer subtext, particularly Irene’s repressed attraction to Clare, adding layers to the discussion of identity and desire under racial and patriarchal oppression. Drawing on theories of racial passing (Kennedy), mimicry (Bhabha), and queer theory (Blackmer), the research demonstrates how race, class, and sexuality intersect in shaping identity. The findings contribute significantly to intersectional literary discourse and deepen our understanding of Black women's lived experiences in American literature.