- Yukki Tsang, Sable Gravesandy, Xhile Selami, Brenika Banks
Desire is the wanting of the thing we cannot possess. In the novel, we see many types of desire, both romantic and social. Irene desires the ability to be confident and affirmed in her Blackness, however her insecurities cause her to over compensate by “choosing” a darker skinned man and having darker skinned children. Romantically, Irene spends most of the narrative infatuated with Clare. Whether it is positive or negative, her thoughts are preoccupied with Clare. The strong feelings of disgust towards Clare can be close-read as intense suppressed desire and frustration.
“She sat with an air of indifferent assurance, as if arranged for, desired.” [Emphasis mine]
“Her lips, painted a brilliant geranium-red, were sweet and sensitive and a little obstinate. A tempting mouth…Arresting eyes, slow and mesmeric, and with, for all their warmth, something withdrawn and secret about.”
These passages reflect the nature of desire and fascination. The close attention given to Clare expresses a sense of intimacy and familiarity. Irene is closely examining Clare that seems to be more than just platonic. Also, the word “withdrawn” and “secret” in the second passage reaffirms the idea that these desires are forbidden or secret. The secret thing that Irene is picking up in Clare could possibly be the same homoerotic desire she has and, perhaps, reciprocation.