Felise Freeland Character Analysis in Passing

Felise Freeland is a friend of Irene’s and the wife of Dave Freeland. Felise attends Irene’s tea party, and it is at the Freelands’ apartment that Clare falls or is pushed out the window in the book’s dramatic final scene. Irene describes Felise as a perfect combination of beauty and brains.

Felise Freeland Quotes in Passing

The Passing quotes below are all either spoken by Felise Freeland or refer to Felise Freeland. 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

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Anchor Books edition of Passing published in 2001.

Drearily she rose from her chair and went upstairs to set about the business of dressing to go out when she would far rather have remained at home. During the process she wondered, for the hundredth time, why she hadn’t told Brian about herself and Felise running into Bellew the day before, and for the hundredth time she turned away from acknowledging to herself the real reason for keeping back the information.

Related Characters: , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 265

Explanation and Analysis:

Felise Freeland Character Timeline in Passing

The timeline below shows where the character Felise Freeland appears in Passing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...her “decorative qualities,” more than she does. Irene then goes on to compare Clare to Felise Freeland, who is beautiful and smart. She then says that Clare would “bore a man... (full context)

Motherhood, Security, and Freedom Theme Icon

Instead, Irene makes small talk with Felise Freeland. Felise notes that Irene looks strained, and asks what is wrong. Irene says she... (full context)

Felise, before leaving her, comments that Clare looks stunning. Irene agrees, and takes in Clare’s fine... (full context)

...runs into John on the street. It is a cold day and Irene is with Felise Freeland downtown. As they turn a corner, they collide with John. John recognizes Irene, smiles,... (full context)

Felise dryly asks Irene if she has been passing, and says that her presence revealed Irene’s... (full context)

Felise becomes distracted by a coat she admires. Meanwhile, Irene thinks about the fact that, if... (full context)

...Philadelphia, which is why she ended up being able to come to the party at Felise’s. Irene expresses concern that Philadelphia is not too far away. She thinks about telling Clare... (full context)

Clare asks why Felise lives on the sixth floor, and Irene responds that Felise says it discourages visitors. They... (full context)

The narrative resumes once the party is in full swing, describing how Dave and Felise are excellent hosts, Brian is witty (even biting, according to Irene), and Ralph Hazelton is... (full context)

The doorbell rings, and Felise answers it. Irene then hears John Bellew’s voice, and Felise responds that John’s wife is... (full context)

...that Irene is there, and says that they had all concluded that she had fainted. Felise leans on Dave, looking sick. Irene walks to Brian, who looks deeply upset. Irene asks... (full context)