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Loss Of Self-Identity In Passing By Nella Larson

827 Words4 Pages

She was black, but she looked white," Hobbs said. "…her mother decided it was in her best interest to move far away from Chicago, to Los Angeles, and to assume the life of a white woman." Why would a mother tell her daughter to live life like this? The novel, Passing written by Nella Larson shows the dangers of loss of self-identity, losing loved ones, and not living life to the fullest. The novel, Passing written by Nella Larson shows the danger of inauthentic life by the loss of self-identity, loved ones, and not living life to the fullest.
Having a true identity is being true to oneself and what they believe. Imagine your mother living in fear because of the dangers of one’s identity. “But my mother’s fearful plea for secrecy only added …show more content…

If one does not live it to the fullest, it will be an ongoing struggle. Lakasik states that his mother's “refusal to not talk about her mixed race, only fueled my [his] curiosity.” Choosing to not be who she was meant to be, she was miserable. Not only was it hard for her but also Lakasik, who had to keep her secret for a long time. In Passing, Clare was worried that if her husband knew her true self, he would not care for her any more. The reader can tell that “she would do anything to prevent him [Brain] from finding the truth” (Larson 202). This was a heavy toll that weighed on Clare. Knowing her husband was a racist, Clare realized that he could never love her for who she truly is. Lukasik states that he has always wondered “why was she [his mother] so fearful and ashamed of her black heritage?” (Lukasik ). Struggling with her black identity, Lukasik’s mother hid all of it from her loved ones. She believed that if she passed, that it would keep others safe. Having a better life is all she wanted for herself and her son. The secrets she kept in reality were hurting her and those around her. Instead of embracing who she was, she encountered the dangers of not living an authentic life. Life is short. If gratitude is the center, this will lead to

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