Hugh Wentworth Character Analysis in Passing

Hugh Wentworth is Irene’s friend and Bianca’s husband. Hugh is a white man and a well-known author who takes part in Irene’s social circle and attends the Negro Welfare League dance. Hugh is perceptive and enjoys talking with Irene about race relations. At one point, Irene thinks that Hugh believes Clare and Brian are having an affair, though Irene has not told him her suspicions.

Hugh Wentworth Quotes in Passing

The Passing quotes below are all either spoken by Hugh Wentworth or refer to Hugh Wentworth. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Passing, Black Identity, and Race Theme Icon

).

I think what they feel is—well, a kind of emotional excitement. You know, the sort of thing you feel in the presence of something strange, and even, perhaps, a bit repugnant to you; something so different that it’s really at the opposite end of the pole from all your accustomed notions of beauty.

Related Characters: Irene Redfield (speaker), Clare Kendry / Bellew, Hugh Wentworth

Page Number and Citation: 236

Explanation and Analysis:

Did you notice that cup…It was the ugliest thing that your ancestors, the charming Confederates, ever owned…What I’m coming to is the fact that I’ve never figured out a way of getting rid of it until about five minutes ago. I had an inspiration. I had only to break it, and I was rid of it forever. So simple!

Related Characters: Irene Redfield (speaker), Clare Kendry / Bellew, Brian Redfield, Hugh Wentworth

Page Number and Citation: 255

Explanation and Analysis:

Hugh Wentworth Character Timeline in Passing

The timeline below shows where the character Hugh Wentworth appears in Passing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...appears in the doorway and tells Irene that the telephone is for her, and that Hugh Wentworth is on the other end. Irene apologizes to Clare and picks up the phone... (full context)

...both white and black men, including with Brian. Later in the night, Irene talks with Hugh Wentworth. Together, they are watching the diverse crowd, a mix of ages, races, sizes, etc.,... (full context)

Irene turns to Hugh and recites a nursery rhyme that speaks to the diversity of the crowd. Hugh says... (full context)

Hugh remarks that Clare is dancing with more black men than white. Meanwhile, he says, all... (full context)

...of beauty.” She says that the same thing happens with black women and white men. Hugh tells Irene that he thinks her hypothesis is interesting, and says they will have to... (full context)

Then Hugh lights a cigarette and asks if it’s true that Clare is a perfect example, implying... (full context)

Irene tells Hugh about a woman, Dorothy Thompkins, that she met several times before realizing she was white.... (full context)

...saying that she did not invite her. Irene explains that the tea party is for Hugh, and Hugh does not especially like Clare. Brian suggests that Hugh might not like Clare... (full context)

Irene objects to and is surprised by Brian’s comment. Brian says that Hugh has a godly opinion of himself, and Irene dryly corrects him, saying that Hugh thinks... (full context)

...nothing and stares at Irene without seeming to really see her. Irene tells Brian that Hugh prefers intelligent women, and Brian asks if Irene thinks Clare is stupid. (full context)

...who is beautiful and smart. She then says that Clare would “bore a man like Hugh to suicide,” and turns the conversation back to Clare having shown up uninvited to the... (full context)

...comments that Clare looks stunning. Irene agrees, and takes in Clare’s fine clothes. Irene spots Hugh across the room near the bookshelves, and hopes he is not bored. Irene sees that... (full context)

...in the room stops talking and looks at her. Zulena hurries to clean it up. Hugh, who is suddenly at her side, apologizes, says he must have pushed her, and asks... (full context)

...instead, she broke the cup on purpose because she thinks it is ugly. Irene tells Hugh it was a Confederate cup owned by Brian’s great-great-granduncle. Hugh nods, and Irene wonders if... (full context)