The Significance and Legacy of Nella Larsen's 'Passing'

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t, havo
• Leerjaar 4,5

The Significance and Legacy of Nella Larsen's 'Passing'

The complexities of racial identity and the practice of 'passing'

Delve into the intricate psychological and social dynamics of light-skinned Black women in 1920s Chicago.

What do you already know about the complexities of racial identity and the practice of 'passing'?

Psychological depth and character study in 'Passing'

Explore the internal conflicts and character development of Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry.

The novella's challenge to the 'tragic mulatto' stereotype

Understand how 'Passing' offers a nuanced portrayal of its characters, challenging stereotypical representations.

Nella Larsen's literary style and her contribution to literature

Appreciate the literary legacy and impact of Nella Larsen's 'Passing' in the context of literature.

The theme of double consciousness in 'Passing'

Recognize how the novella embeds the theme of double consciousness within its narrative, leaving a profound legacy in literature.

Definition List

Passing: The act of a person classified as a member of one racial group being accepted as a member of a different racial group, particularly in a context of racial segregation.
Double consciousness: A term coined by W.E.B. Du Bois to describe the internal conflict experienced by subordinated or colonized groups in an oppressive society.
Tragic mulatto: A stereotypical character in literature who is biracial and often depicted as a victim of society's racial structures and their own internal conflicts.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.