Passing Study Guide

Setting

Chicago and New York City, the mid-late 1920s

Major Characters

Irene Redfield - Irene is the protagonist of this novel. She is a light-skinned African-American woman, who sometimes 'œpasses,' when it is convenient for her. She is married to physician, Brian Redfield and the mother of Junior and Ted.

Minor Characters

Clare Kendry/ Bellew - Clare is a light-skinned, blonde, African-American woman, who passes as white. Clare grew up with Irene in South Side Chicago. After Clare's nasty father died, Clare moved in with her very religious white aunts and Irene lost track of her. Clare married Jack Bellew, a wealthy white man, without ever telling him that she was African-American. When Clare meets Irene again, many years later, she is longing to spend time with other African Americans.

Bob Kendry - Bob is Clare's mean father. He is the son of a white father and an African-American mother. It is his white aunts that care for Clare once he dies.

Gertrude Martin - Gertrude is Irene and Clare's childhood friend. She is also light-skinned and, although her white husband knows about her African-American heritage, does not want any more children because she is afraid they will be dark.

Fred Martin - Fred is Gertrude's white husband.

John 'œJack' Bellew - Jack is Clare's white husband, who does not know that she is African American. He is a bitter racist. He refers to Clare as 'œNig' because her skin has gotten darker during the course of their marriage. He makes only three appearances in the novel, although he is frequently referenced. In his first appearance, he makes cruel racist comments to Gertrude and Irene, believing they are white women. In his second appearance, he encounters Irene arm-in-arm with a black woman and realizes she is African American. In his final appearance, he confronts Clare about her secret in the middle of a party. During their altercation, Clare falls to her death.

Margery Bellew - Margery is Jack and Clare's ten-year-old daughter. She is fair skinned and does not know that her mother has African-American heritage.

Brian Redfield - Brian is Irene's darker-skinned, African-American husband, who 'œcan't exactly pass.' Brian is a respected physician. He has wanted to move to South America for some time, but Irene insists they stay in the United States, perhaps because she cannot accurately understand the discrimination Brian deals with. Brian clearly grows attached to Clare as the novel progresses; although, it is not clear if he is actually romantically involved with Clare in any way, or if their relationship is merely something Irene imagines.

Junior Redfield - Junior is Irene and Brian's eldest son.

Ted Redfield - Ted is Irene and Brian's younger son.

Zulena - Zulena is Irene and Brian's housekeeper.

Hugh Wentworth - Hugh is a white scholar and socialite who socializes with the black elite in New York. According to the explanatory notes in this edition of the novel, his character is modeled on Carl Van Vechten, a writer and music and literary critic, who took particular interest in African-American culture. Van Vechten was Nella Larsen's personal friend, who helped her publish her first novel, Quicksand; this novel is dedicated to him and his wife, Fania.

Felise Freeland - Felise is Irene's African-American friend who is linked arm-in-arm with Irene when they meet John Bellew. By seeing Irene with a woman who is clearly black, Bellew surmises that Irene is also black, and so is Clare. It is during a party at Felise's house that John Bellew confronts Clare about her background.

Dave Freeland - Dave is Felise's husband. He is confused when Bellew arrives at the door, during the Freelands' party, demanding to see Clare.