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An Analysis of the Ambiguous
Ending of 'Passing'
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 demise of the main character Clare
One of the
chief questions readers ask after reading the work is the person responsible
for Clare’s demise. In the last chapter, it is quite obscure about the major
aspects that contributed to and motived the person responsible for Clare’s death
had before committing the murder. 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 readers to the narrative, require deeper addressing from the
writer.
Besides, the
author expresses culture and race segregation as huge factors connected to
Clare’s 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 author’s
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
outcomes from universal views and opinions.
Some other
pointers could perhaps explain Clare’s death at the end of the Novel. One of
the prominent pointers is an animosity that Clare had with a fellow character Irene. Rivalry 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 reader’s
reading curiosity and satisfaction need to be satisfied well.
Another
pointer could be Clare’s 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 communication. Based on the above reason, effective
communication is efficient in instances where the communication source uses
efficient strategies that express articulation and easy understanding in what
one aims at communicating as well as few speculations and ambiguities involved.
Works Cited
Shoemaker,
Jeffrey. Nella Larsen's Passing and Color Theory: Beyond Black & White. Portland
State University PDXScholar University Honors Theses University Honors College. 2014. Pages 1-22.
Mandal,
Børge. Narrative and Ambiguity in the Private Memoirs and Confessions of a
Justified Sinner ENG-3992.
Master’s Thesis in English Literature
Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences
and Education University of Tromsø Spring. 2012. Pages 1-60.
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