Honors HIST 1103 – Survey of American History

Spring 2002

Dr. Laura Belmonte

Assignment for Nella Larsen, Passing

Due in class on Tuesday, April 9^th

Read entire text (114 pages) – be sure to read the footnotes, they offer lots of helpful contextual information.

Write a 5-7 page essay (be sure to include an introduction and conclusion) in which you summarize Larsen’s storyline and answer – within the body of your essay – the following questions (in whatever order you wish):

-Briefly describe Nella Larsen’s career and life.

-What is the general outline of this story?

-What does Passing tell us about race relations? Did any of this story revise your notions about race and racism? Explain your answers.

-What does this novel tell us about class and social customs?

-What is your opinion of “passing”? If you had been an African-American living in segregated America, would you have “passed” if possible? Why or why not?

-How do you think that Clare died?

-Are novels useful ways to study history? Explain your answer.

-Did you like this book? Should I assign it again? Explain your answers.