Feminist Critique Through Male Eyes

When asked what would a feminist critic be interested in, when concerned with a work of fiction, it is an understatement to say the least that a male could give an appropriate answer. But I’ll try, using the novel Passing by Nella Larson one can state a feminist would be concerned with the dynamic in which the novels protagonist Irene Redfield, interacts with her counterpart Clare Kendry. Both women were childhood friends but through “passing” that is hiding ones own African descent to assimilate to white society, Clare Kendry becomes an outsider to the black community. While Irene is on a trip to Chicago she runs into Clare and the story unfolds. What’s interesting about the plot besides the obvious racial duality the women face, is how Larson a women herself, creates a viewpoint in which Irene despises Clare, not only for her going over the “other side” so to speak but rather she fears Clare is trying to steal her husband. This along with the ways in which Irene talks to and actions she takes when concerned with her husband also give insight to the world this female perspective creates. In essence one can say a feminist critic would make note of not only the feminine and masculine characters of the novel, but also the sex of its author.