In other words, rather than accepting the constraints that would be placed upon them if they actively identified as Black, John and Rena at first try to uplift themselves through marriage and actively pursing White-only professions and societal distinctions. For instance, John works as a prominent attorney in Clarence, South Carolina as a white man with a white wife. "Warwick's wife was of good family, and in a more settled condition of society it would not have been easy for a young man of no visible antecedents to win her hand." (22) Had John identified as Black, not only would he not have been allowed to marry the woman. If John had not engaged in 'passing' could not have pursued the profession he is so skilled at, to the degree of profit and social advancement that he has enjoyed. Is it so wrong not to be subject to the confines of a racist society?
After his wife's death, John asks his mother, Miss Molly, to allow his younger sister Rena to return with him, to care for his infant son, and to 'pass' as well -- a necessity on her part, given that her brother's livelihood must be preserved. Rena takes the name and persona of 'Rowena Warwick' after she is allowed to accompany her brother and seamlessly becomes integrated into white society. " it was a source of much gratification to Warwick that his sister seemed to adapt herself so easily to the new conditions. Her graceful movements, the quiet elegance with which she wore even the simplest...
However, when the truth of her Rena's racial identity is revealed accidentally, George Tryon rejects her, because she 'lied' to him -- which is not so much the case as that betrothed took advantage of his assumption that because of her poise, grace, and beauty, she must be white. When Rena learns of the transience of George's affections and she falls ill. However, Rena recovers and vows goes on to work toward uplifting her race.
The House Behind the Cedars ultimately makes a powerful case against 'passing.' Passing is not wrong ethically or morally in a racist society, and race itself is a fluid category. But by not identifying with her heritage fully, Rena denies a fundamental part of herself and becomes tied to a man who is not worthy of her. This is the true tragedy of passing, not that it is a lie, but because passing requires people like Rena to adopt the mores of racist society.
Works Cited
Chesnutt, Charles. The House Behind the Cedars. 1900. Available in full text form at the University of North Carolina Website. 26 Apr 2005 at http://docsouth.unc.edu/chesnutthouse/cheshouse.html
