Summary Intersections of Race, Gender, and Power: Analyzing Nella Larsen’s Passing and Anne McClintock’s Imperial Leather
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Course
Approaches to Literature
Institution
Senior / 12th Grade
Explore the complex interplay between race, gender, and imperialism in this insightful short answer response, which delves into Nella Larsen’s Passing and Anne McClintock’s “Imperial Leather.” This document analyzes how historical forces and colonial ideologies shape racial identity, power ...
Through an exploration of Nella Larsen’s Passing and Anne McClintock’s “Imperial
Leather,” the complexities of racial identity and power dynamics intersect with broader themes
of imperialism, gender relations, and societal norms, revealing the intricate interplay between
personal experiences and larger historical forces. Passing delves into the lives of Irene Redfield
and Clare Kendry, two biracial women navigating the complexities of racial identity in 1920s
America. “Imperial Leather” provides a theoretical framework that can contextualize the themes
of power, sexism, and racism demonstrated in Passing, putting them in a broader historical
context of imperialism. I argue that both texts offer insights into the lasting impacts of
imperialism on both a personal and global level, shedding light on the subtle impacts of
imperialism on one’s mind. Colonial ideologies continue to shape individual perceptions, societal
structures, and power dynamics. Through the synthesis of both texts, a deeper understanding of
the intersections between race, gender, and power can be made, as well as their implications for
individual experiences and societal structures.
In Passing, Clare’s ability to pass as white gives her privileges that characters
such as Irene and other colored characters do not receive; this dynamic reflects hierarchical
structures of power perpetuated by imperialism. This is illustrated when Clare passes as white at
the Drayton Hotel. During this scene, Clare blends into a predominantly white environment,
enjoying the social privileges other characters, such as Irene, do not have. While it is easy for
Clare to pass as white, the same does not go for a white person trying to pass as colored, as
highlighted in a conversation between Irene and Hugh “It’s easy for a Negro to ‘pass’ for white.
But I don’t think it would be so simple for a white person to ‘pass’ for colored.” (141, Larsen)
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