Clare's Cake (Post 10)

 “The trouble with Clare was, not only that she wanted to have her cake and eat it too, but that she wanted to nibble at the cakes of other folk as well.”


            I think this quote from Passing best exemplifies Clare’s personality.  This quote pertains to Clare on two different aspects. To start off, Clare has willingly chosen to “pass.”  She wanted to run away and start a new life where she would not have to worry about the difficulties associated with black skin.  Once she manages to do this by marrying John, she seems happy for quite a while.  She even advocates for passing.  Her “cake” can be considered to be this new life.  She is passing as white and is married to a wealthy man.  However, once she sees Irene in Chicago, she is reminded of the black community, something Irene is allowed to take part in but she is not.  Even though it was originally her choice to pass, she still wants to reap the benefits of a close-knit black community. She in a way imposes on Irene, begging her to take her to the dance where she can reconnect with the black community.  She wants a taste of Irene’s “cake,” because it is something she is no longer able to experience for her own safety.  Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Clare shows she likes to “nibble at the cakes of other folk” when it comes to Brian.  Even though the author never clarifies whether an affair is taking place between Clare and Brian, there are still some boundaries that are crossed.  For example, when Irene is busy, Clare and Brian often go out together. I think that this takes place because Clare is unhappy with her life and husband.  As a deeply racist man, John makes Clare feel very afraid.  I’m sure being in the presence of a black man is refreshing for Clare.  She is able to be herself and feel safe around him.  However, the time they spend together still seems very strange considering both Clare and Brian are supposed to be committed to Irene.  As a close “friend” and a husband, these two are supposed to place Irene above all others.  However, Clare is unhappy with her own “cake” and is willing to take from even her friend to fulfill her selfish desires.

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 3, 2017 at 6:41 PM

    I agree with what you are saying about Clare. It is obvious throughout the text that Clare is very selfish and inconsiderate but could some of these traits also present in Irene and Brian? Brian choses to stay with his wife and his kids but still choses to go out and have a very uncomfortably close relationship with Clare. I think this could be his way of having his cake and everyone else's since he has the wife, the kids, the good job, and then has Clare on the side. Irene on the other hand possibly doesn't even have her own cake. With her obsessive personality and focus on the negative and angry feelings she has, it seems like she refuses to even enjoy her own cake.

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