Describe symbolism in Quicksand and Passing by Nella Larsen

Nella Larsen does not simply explore the implications of skin color in her two stories, but uses color as symbolism for everything from exotica and daring to innocence. Helga Crane's lack of color, both black and white, is at the basis of Helga's angst. Helga's daring and artistic nature is expressed through her red and black decor, Chinese rugs and and vividly-colored clothing, which her colleagues see as vanity and and pride. A colleague who sees Helga's "startling" green and gold negligee is amazed. As Helga's resolve to leave Naxos increases, the orange sun dissolves into pale yellow. Helga sees the women at Naxos as drab and dull in their navy blue, black and brown and recalls the dean declaring that "Bright colors are vulgar" for colored people.