An Analysis of The Ambiguous Ending of 'Passing'
An Analysis of The Ambiguous Ending of 'Passing'
An Analysis of The Ambiguous Ending of 'Passing'
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The author of the Novel Passing did some credible literature. However, the ending of
the novel seems equivocal to most of the readers from a global perspective. The reason behind
the hypothesis is that most of the readers from a global perspective have a huge number of
unanswered questions that arise from the end and final chapter of the novel. The ending might be
a unique way that the author aimed at presenting to the literature world. The author might have
achieved the perception as many people criticize the novel at the final chapter where the
audience and readers have a huge number of unanswered questions. Suspense is an aspect that
global authors use to present their literature work. However, most people reprimand ambiguity as
it leaves the reader with many unanswered questions after going through the literature piece. The
Essay discusses the aspect of ambiguity as presented in the final chapter of the book Passing
by Nella Larsen; the book deliberately ends without a revelation of who is responsible for the
One of the chief questions readers ask after reading the work is the person responsible
for Clares demise. In the last chapter, it is quite obscure about the major aspects that contributed
to and motived the person responsible for Clares death had before committing the murder.
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Scholars argue out that the death of a character is a factor that draws the keen audience of the
audience to the Novel, which leads to most many questions if the death issue is not addressed
effectively (Mandal 12). In crucial aspects of writing that seem to draw a huge interest of the
Besides, the author expresses culture and race segregation as huge factors connected to
Clares death. However, the author does not give the audience detailed information that relates to
the death of Clare. On the other hand, some scholars find the color theory in the novel to be a
weak theoretical framework that most readers could use to understand and explain the death of
Clare (Shoemaker 9). The chief reason behind the argument might be that the author has not
invested much time in expounding on the theory and linking it to the narrative. To add on,
writers make extensive use of theories and paradigms to explain mystical a section of their
literature work.
Most scholars use social class, gender and racism to explain deaths. Although, most
critics ad reader who make reviews about the death of Clare lack satisfaction from a global
perspective. The primary reason behind this might be the authors presentation of the death to the
targeted audience. Historically, most of the people who faced incarcerations, cruelties, torture
and demises were activities of equality in the aspect of race, class and gender. Maybe, Nella
Larsen might have wanted to use the historical outlook as an approach in her literature piece
Passing. Conversely, from a global perspective, the expected results were not the actual
Some other pointers could perhaps explain Clares death at the end of the Novel. One
of the prominent pointers is an animosity that Clare had with a fellow character Irene. Rivalry
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between two friends could be a credible reason if staged well in an articulate to explain the death
of a character (Mandal 20). The reason behind the argument is that rivalry can make people be
jealous and each other. From the rivalry and hate, one of the characters might retort by killing the
other character. From such a reason, the audience and global readers might have a better
understanding on the tragedy faced by the character Clare. Besides, the audience would have a
satisfied reason and theoretical framework that answers most of their questions. In cases where
the readers still have unanswered question and ambiguity in their minds might feel unsatisfied, as
reading is a form of communication where readers reading curiosity and satisfaction need to be
satisfied well.
Another pointer could be Clares marriage. Clare was married to a character by the
name John. The two had marital tussles over several issues. At an incidence, Clare declines to go
to Brazil with her husband. Marital issues are a global cause to deaths of married people as
misunderstandings might make one person angry to the point of making the decision of one
killing their spouse. If the author had related the death to the problems Clare had with husbands,
most of the people and critics might have liked the novel.
In conclusion, the writer left most of the audience questions unanswered as well as huge
speculations in the minds of the audience. The chief reason behind the perception is leaving the
story with speculations might lead to significant controversies. The reason behind this is that
most readers might have arguments and conflicting opinions, which might end up making the
writer, appear like an amateur. Most people believe that art and literature are a form of
where the communication source uses efficient strategies that express articulation and easy
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understanding in what one aims at communicating as well as few speculations and ambiguities
involved.
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Works Cited
Shoemaker, Jeffrey. Nella Larsen's Passing and Color Theory: Beyond Black & White.
Mandal, Brge. Narrative and Ambiguity in the Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified