Colder temperatures and a colder Irene

Throughout Passing, we are given clues to the amount of time that has passed by the weather that Irene mentions. I find it interesting the development of the whether alongside the story line, as the weather may function to symbolize the fall of Irene.

            We are introduced to Clare on a hot sunny day two years prior to the present, as Irene is recalling her encounter with Clare as she reads her letter. At this point in time, Irene is, for the most part, content with her life. She is on the hunt for the perfect gifts for her sons just prior to running into Clare, priding herself on her ability to be a good mother. We are clued in later in the story that Brian had stopped mentioning his desire to travel for a period of time that was prior to Clare’s presence in their lives, likely in accord with this period of time. As the story plays out, we find that Brian’s desire to travel is a topic that instills grave anxiety in Irene, as she believes his travel would threaten her stability. Irene doesn’t place much priority in the intimacy of her relationship, as we can suspect was already lacking during this time, so this is the time at which Irene seems the most content that we will see her. The warmth may symbolize the warmth the Irene holds in her character. There is no doubt that the reader perceives Irene to be a good mother and caring person, as she is willing to be friendly with Clare and see her again in spite of her hesitations.

            As the storyline progresses, Irene mentions the cooling of the weather, but absence of snow nearing winter. Clare’s presence in Irene’s life begins to bring about progressive jealousy and irritation for Irene, as she continuously compares herself to Clare with major focus on her stunning looks and charm. Also growing is the tension between Brian and Irene, as Brian is now seeming more and more discontent in New York. It is during this season that Irene constructs her plot to allow Brian to travel so long as her son tags along, possibly using him as a pawn in her ploy. We see Irene’s desperation overcome her motherly-nature for the first time, as she would be sending her son away over something as minor as joking about sex, as she uses as an excuse. Irene is growing colder with the weather.

            As Irene and Brian eat their breakfast in dead silence as a result of their now nearly-intolerable tension, we are informed that it is snowing, as Irene is staring out the window. It is during this cold winter season that Irene’s mental state deteriorates quickly after becoming paranoid that Clare and Brian are having an affair. This thought is what drove Irene to start losing all focus on anything other than her speculation. She admits to forgetting about her children for the first time just prior to breaking her perfect appearance by shattering her teacup. It is now that Irene is so desperately clinging to her stability that she begins to think Clare needs to disappear and decides that her death would be the only way of keeping Brian. The snow is falling outside when Clare falls to her death and Irene’s character has turned so cold that even she has to question if she had pushed her and finds herself rejoicing in thankfulness to discover Clare is dead and her stability is no longer threatened.