A study of the historical, the psychological, and the spiritual aspects of "passing" in the house behind the cedars and passing, 1996
White, Monica Latrice
1990-1999
This study investigates the phenomenon of passing for white and its effects on individuals, who pass or attempt to pass. The effects of passing that the study examines are the loss of the historical identity and the constant trauma of the psyche. Furthermore, this study examines the importance of the spirit(soul) of the passing person in returning to the African American community. The study is based on the premise that in order to gain the economic stability, education, and true freedom that are enjoyed by white society, persons have to pass. Therefore, African Americans who can cross the color line risk their lives and their sanity in hopes of capturing the American Dream. However, over time, these persons realize that the price of passing is too high, and thus, return to the African American community via the spirit. Thus, this study concludes that although the person who passes relinquishes the history and suffers emotionally by way of the psyche, the spiritual connection plays an integral role of restoring him/her to the African American community.
text
application/pdf
1996-12-01
thesis
Master of Arts (MA)
Clark Atlanta University
School of Arts and Sciences, English
Briggs-Emanuel, Phyllis
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:1996_white_monica_latrice
