Passing by Nella Larsen
What narrative point of view is used in Passing, and whose perspective do we mostly follow?
Limited third-person from Irene Redfield’s perspective.
Who narrates The Great Gatsby?
Nick Carraway
Name one poet from the Harlem Renaissance.
Langston Hughes (others: Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, etc.)
What is a symbol? Give one example from The Great Gatsby.
A symbol is something that represents more than itself. Example: Green light = Gatsby’s dreams.
What goes in an MLA in-text citation for a book?
Author’s last name and page number (e.g., Fitzgerald 89).
How does Irene’s limited perspective affect how we view Clare?
It makes Clare seem mysterious and possibly untrustworthy, since we only see her through Irene’s jealous and paranoid thoughts.
What is one major theme in The Great Gatsby?
The illusion of the American Dream—wealth doesn't equal happiness.
What is the central metaphor in Mother to Son by Langston Hughes?
Life as a staircase—not smooth or easy, but requiring perseverance.
Define dramatic irony. Where is it used in Passing?
When the audience knows something the characters don’t. In Passing, readers suspect Irene’s instability before it’s clear.
How do you format a Works Cited entry for a novel?
Last Name, First Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
What does the act of “passing” mean in the novel, and who does it?
“Passing” means a Black person living as white. Clare Kendry does this socially and legally.
What does the green light symbolize for Gatsby?
Hope, dreams, and his desire for Daisy, as well as the unreachable future.
How did Harlem Renaissance poets reflect the Black experience in their work?
Through realistic portrayals of struggle, pride, and cultural identity.
What does tone mean? How would you describe the tone of Irene’s narration?
Tone is the author’s or narrator’s attitude. Irene’s tone is often anxious, suspicious, and repressed.
When analyzing a cold read passage, what should you look for first?
Tone, main idea, and the narrator’s attitude or purpose
How does the setting of 1920s Harlem influence the events and themes in Passing?
1920s Harlem, during the Harlem Renaissance, highlights a period of Black cultural pride alongside deep racial tensions. It creates a backdrop where identity, class, and race are constantly negotiated, which intensifies the stakes of Clare’s decision to pass and Irene’s internal struggle.
Explain the meaning of this quote: “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy…”
Tom and Daisy are privileged and irresponsible, causing harm and avoiding consequences.
Name two themes commonly found in Harlem Renaissance poetry.
Racial pride and resilience through adversity
What’s the difference between theme and motif? Give an example of each.
Theme = central idea (e.g., American Dream). Motif = recurring element (e.g., Gatsby’s parties or eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg).
What’s one strategy for identifying theme in an unfamiliar poem?
Look at repeated images or metaphors, and emotional shifts in the speaker’s voice.
How does Clare's presence challenge Irene's identity and sense of control?
Clare’s confidence and beauty destabilize Irene’s sense of safety, marriage, and identity, forcing her to confront her own repressed desires and insecurities.
Why can Gatsby never fully achieve the American Dream, despite his wealth?
Because he lacks the social class, history, and legitimacy that Old Money society values—and he chases a dream rooted in illusion.
Analyze this line: “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” What does it suggest about the speaker’s life?
Life has been hard, uneven, and full of obstacles, but the speaker keeps climbing and pushing forward.
What is unreliable narration? How does it apply to Irene?
A narrator whose credibility is compromised. Irene’s narration is clouded by jealousy and repression, so readers question her version of events.
True or False: In MLA format, the title of a poem goes in italics. Explain.
False – Poem titles go in quotation marks, not italics.