NAMES: Edison, Leonard, Evan, Shamar
In passing the questions is what is the desire? What key here is the internal and external of an human being. Irene throughout the movie as analysis Clare has always been her external because of her Eurocentric beauty standards. This is shown in novel when narrator made the statement “Irene a little prick of satisfaction to recall, hadn’t got that by passing herself off as white” hence confirming her analysis of external. However Clare being carefree and dissolving herself from Respectability Politics, while at the same reaping benefits from Eurocentric beauty features. However, we heard the term when you looking into someone eyes you are looking to their soul. Narrator made the comment that Irene said “those negro eyes” hence suggesting what Irene was missing was her negro soul and that is what she lacked and desire from Clare, for her negro soul to been seen and accepted.
Shamar, I found it interesting that you believe Irene wanted her black or “negro” soul to be seen especially around Claire. I believe you are alluding to Irene’s feeling her “blackest” around Claire because she gets the opportunity to stand up for the culture as a black woman which is something she doesn’t get to do often within her community.