Passing

by

Nella Larsen

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Passing makes teaching easy.

Hugh Wentworth Character Analysis

Hugh Wentworth is Irene’s friend and Bianca’s husband. Hugh is a white man and a well-known author who takes part in Irene’s social circle and attends the Negro Welfare League dance. Hugh is perceptive and enjoys talking with Irene about race relations. At one point, Irene thinks that Hugh believes Clare and Brian are having an affair, though Irene has not told him her suspicions.

Hugh Wentworth Quotes in Passing

The Passing quotes below are all either spoken by Hugh Wentworth or refer to Hugh Wentworth. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Passing, Black Identity, and Race Theme Icon
).
Part 2, Chapter 3 Quotes

I think what they feel is—well, a kind of emotional excitement. You know, the sort of thing you feel in the presence of something strange, and even, perhaps, a bit repugnant to you; something so different that it’s really at the opposite end of the pole from all your accustomed notions of beauty.

Related Characters: Irene Redfield (speaker), Clare Kendry / Bellew, Hugh Wentworth
Page Number: 236
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 3, Chapter 1 Quotes

Did you notice that cup…It was the ugliest thing that your ancestors, the charming Confederates, ever owned…What I’m coming to is the fact that I’ve never figured out a way of getting rid of it until about five minutes ago. I had an inspiration. I had only to break it, and I was rid of it forever. So simple!

Related Characters: Irene Redfield (speaker), Clare Kendry / Bellew, Brian Redfield, Hugh Wentworth
Page Number: 255
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Passing LitChart as a printable PDF.
Passing PDF

Hugh Wentworth Quotes in Passing

The Passing quotes below are all either spoken by Hugh Wentworth or refer to Hugh Wentworth. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Passing, Black Identity, and Race Theme Icon
).
Part 2, Chapter 3 Quotes

I think what they feel is—well, a kind of emotional excitement. You know, the sort of thing you feel in the presence of something strange, and even, perhaps, a bit repugnant to you; something so different that it’s really at the opposite end of the pole from all your accustomed notions of beauty.

Related Characters: Irene Redfield (speaker), Clare Kendry / Bellew, Hugh Wentworth
Page Number: 236
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 3, Chapter 1 Quotes

Did you notice that cup…It was the ugliest thing that your ancestors, the charming Confederates, ever owned…What I’m coming to is the fact that I’ve never figured out a way of getting rid of it until about five minutes ago. I had an inspiration. I had only to break it, and I was rid of it forever. So simple!

Related Characters: Irene Redfield (speaker), Clare Kendry / Bellew, Brian Redfield, Hugh Wentworth
Page Number: 255
Explanation and Analysis: