Passing

Passing

Nella Larsen's novel, Passing, provides an example of

some of the best writing the Harlem Renaissance has to

offer. Nella Larsen was one of the most promising young

writer's of her time. Though she only published two novels

it is clear that she was one of the most important writers

of the Harlem Renaissance movement. Her career as writer

probably would have lasted longer, but she was accused of

plagiarizing her short story, "Sanctuary." She was

eventually cleared of any wrong doing, but the accusation

deeply tarnished her reputation as writer. It is truly a

shame that the first African-American woman to win the

Guggenheim Fellowship was forced out of writing by scandal.

Before being haunted by scandal, Nella Larsen played

an intricate role in the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem

Renaissance was a movement that started toward the end of

World War I and lasted through the mid 1930's. It was the

first notable movement of African-American writers and

artists in the United States. It was given the name

"Harlem Renaissance" because the movement was centered in

the Harlem district in New York City. More

African-American writers and poets were published during

this period in the United States than ever before. Not

only were African-American writers being published more,

but they were also getting a great deal of recognition for

their work. The body of work characteristic of this time

period showed a heightened sense of racial consci...