What are the motifs in Quicksand and Passing by Nella Larsen?

In using the term "passing," Larson is making reference to many aspects of the characters, in addition to passing as Caucasians. Irene Redfield passes as a black woman of society and breeding. She has married a doctor and structured her life to look like the ideal, upper-class family who is involved in socially correct causes and is well-adjusted. But, in fact, this facade is very carefully constructed and protected by Irene who is not a happy person herself, and whose husband would really rather be somewhere else. Although she has chosen to be open about her African American background, she imitates the life of Caucasians and pretends to be emotionally stable. In the end of the story, it becomes clear that Irene has only passed herself off as a stable woman and is actually calculating, jealous and controlling, far beyond the level of Clare Kendry.