This research paper will focus on "The Tragic Mulatta" in relation to Nella Larsen’s book "Passing" and will examine if Clare Kendry is a typical Tragic Mulatta or not.It is a well-known fact that there are a lot of stereotypes which developed over time, especially in the minds of people and in literature. For example the so called "Blackface", "The Uncle Tom", "The Coon", "The Mammy", "The Brutal Black Buck" and last but not least "The Tragic Mulatta". To this end the definition of this stereotype has to be considered: Dr. David Pilgrim, a Professor of Sociology defines "The Tragic Mulatta" as a female character with white appearance but also containing black blood, who could easily pass for white. A second fact included in the definition of Dr. Pilgrim is, that those Mulattas were often not aware of their black heritage and when they found out tragically committed suicide.
Another definition declares that the Mulattas always deny and "abandon their black families". They are also considered to be very seductive and sexual. Some definitions even say "they find only peace in death and live a life of alcoholism, depressions and sexual perversion" because they have a feeling of not being accepted in either of the two worlds. In the following paragraphs the fact will be proved that Clare Kendry is a typical Tragic Mulatta.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction – The Different Stereotypes
2. Main Part – Proving the Definitions
3. Conclusion – Is Clare Kendry a Typical Tragic Mulatta?
Research Objective and Topics
The primary research objective of this paper is to analyze whether the character Clare Kendry from Nella Larsen's novel "Passing" aligns with the established literary and sociological stereotype of the "Tragic Mulatta."
- Analysis of the "Tragic Mulatta" stereotype based on sociological definitions.
- Examination of Clare Kendry’s physical appearance and "passing" for white.
- Investigation of Clare’s relationship with her black heritage and family.
- Evaluation of Clare’s psychological state regarding depression and social identity.
- Assessment of the tragic end of the character in the context of the archetype.
Excerpt from the Book
Main Part – Proving the Definitions
Reading the book Passing we can find many quotations that prove the white appearance of Clare. She is described as “an attractive-looking woman…with those dark, almost black eyes and that wide mouth like a scarlet flower against the ivory of her skin.” (6). In her eyes her black heritage may be visible, but the rest of her appearance and above all her skin does not reveal it at all. She definitely can pass for white, as it can be seen in this quotation: “(…) could that woman, somehow know that before her very eyes…sat a Negro? Absurd! Impossible! White people were so stupid about such things (…).” (7). This shows very clearly that Clare is considered to be White and therefore has fulfilled one criteria of a Tragic Mulatta, because not even a Negro, like the other Protagonist of Passing called Irene, can identify her as a one.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction – The Different Stereotypes: This chapter introduces the historical and literary context of racial stereotypes and defines the "Tragic Mulatta" concept as the framework for the subsequent analysis.
2. Main Part – Proving the Definitions: This section empirically tests the specific criteria of the "Tragic Mulatta" archetype—such as passing, denial of family, and mental instability—against textual evidence from Nella Larsen’s "Passing."
3. Conclusion – Is Clare Kendry a Typical Tragic Mulatta?: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, concluding that while Clare exhibits several characteristics of the archetype, she deviates in ways that make her a complex, non-stereotypical figure.
Keywords
Passing, Tragic Mulatta, Nella Larsen, Clare Kendry, Racial Stereotypes, Black Heritage, Identity, Literature, Sociology, Depression, Harlem Renaissance, Race, Social Status, Intersectionality
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
This paper examines the character Clare Kendry from Nella Larsen’s novel "Passing" to determine if she fits the traditional sociological and literary definition of the "Tragic Mulatta."
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include racial identity, the sociological concept of "passing," the construction of the "Tragic Mulatta" stereotype, and the psychological impact of living between two racial worlds.
What is the core research question?
The paper asks whether Clare Kendry should be considered a "typical" Tragic Mulatta based on her actions, her awareness of her heritage, and her ultimate fate in the novel.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis, contrasting literary evidence from the primary text "Passing" with sociological definitions provided by experts like Dr. David Pilgrim.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body addresses Clare’s physical ability to pass as white, her complex relationship with her black family, her feelings of loneliness and depression, and her seductive social behavior.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include Passing, Tragic Mulatta, Identity, Racial Stereotypes, Nella Larsen, and the Harlem Renaissance.
Does Clare Kendry suffer from alcoholism as the stereotype suggests?
No, the analysis finds no clear evidence in the text that Clare suffers from alcoholism, noting that this is one area where she diverges from the traditional archetype.
How does the author interpret the ending of the novel in relation to the "Tragic Mulatta" stereotype?
The author interprets the tragic conclusion of the book as a defining moment that aligns Clare with the "Tragic Mulatta" fate, even if her life choices during the novel were more ambiguous than the stereotype typically dictates.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sarah Antonia Gallegos García (Autor:in), 2013, Is Clare Kendry from the book "Passing" a Typical Tragic Mulatta?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/499083
