Previous
Masks
Throughout Passing, Larsen’s characters stand in doorways or linger around thresholds. These doorways and thresholds serve to physically represent the story’s attention to liminality (the idea of being in between two distinct spaces). The theme of passing, itself a form of liminality, echoes the fact that characters often find themselves at the border between rooms, just as they are often on the brink of different identities. Likewise, the window through which Clare ultimately falls/is pushed represents the potential violence of the act of passing or crossing racial boundaries, as Clare falls to her death.
Doorways, Windows, Thresholds Quotes in Passing
The Passing quotes below all refer to the symbol of Doorways, Windows, Thresholds. 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:
).
Part 1, Chapter 1
Quotes
This, she reflected, was of a piece with all that she knew of Clare Kendry. Stepping always on the edge of danger. Always aware, but not drawing back or turning aside. Certainly not because of any alarms or feeling of outrage on the part of others.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Passing LitChart as a printable PDF.
Doorways, Windows, Thresholds Symbol Timeline in Passing
The timeline below shows where the symbol Doorways, Windows, Thresholds appears in Passing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 2
Irene sits at a table near the window. When her iced tea arrives, Irene enjoys it while observing the rest of the room....
(full context)
Part 2, Chapter 2
...buy a ticket and go anyway. Irene, rising from her chair and walking to the window, insists that she is concerned for Clare’s safety and her own.
(full context)
...invites Clare to meet her sons, and together they go upstairs. Clare stands in the doorway and asks the boys if she can come in. Ted says yes, while Junior is...
(full context)
Part 3, Chapter 4
Irene asks if she can open a window, because the room is hot. She does so. Outside the snow has stopped and night...
(full context)
Clare stands by the window, surprisingly composed and smiling slightly. Her smile infuriates Irene, who runs across the room and...
(full context)
...rushes downstairs. Irene sits down and processes the fact that Clare has fallen out the window. Irene is shocked, and wonders if the others think Clare has fallen, or committed suicide,...
(full context)
...of misadventure,” and telling the group that they should go have a look at the window.
(full context)
