AO3 (Social Context)

Question 1

What contributed to the emergence of a Black middle class in Northern cities?

Answer 1

The Great Migration contributed to the emergence of a Black middle class in Northern cities.

Question 2

What concept exemplifies the new Black elite?

Answer 2

W.E.B. Du Bois’s concept of the ‘Talented Tenth’ exemplifies the new Black elite.

Question 3

What does ‘Passing’ explore in relation to Black communities?

Answer 3

‘Passing’ explores class divisions within Black communities through its portrayal of middle-class Black characters and their attitudes toward racial identity and assimilation.

Question 4

What do anti-miscegenation laws reinforce?

Answer 4

Anti-miscegenation laws reinforce racial hierarchies and make passing a high-stakes decision.

Question 5

What informed societal understanding of racial passing?

Answer 5

Real-life cases of racial passing informed societal understanding of the phenomenon Larsen explores in her novel.

Question 6

What significant changes occurred in gender norms during the 1920s?

Answer 6

The 1920s saw significant changes in gender norms, including women’s suffrage (19th Amendment, 1920), flapper culture, and new opportunities for women.

Question 7

How did changes in gender norms influence Larsen’s portrayal of characters?

Answer 7

These changes likely influenced Larsen’s portrayal of Clare and Irene, as they navigate both racial and gender expectations in a changing society.