# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Nella Larsen.

- [Passing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/passing.md): The opening of the novel introduces Irene Redfield, a light-skinned Black woman who receives a letter from her childhood acquaintance Clare Kendry, which she initially destroys but later retrieves. The narrative flashes 
- [Part I: Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/part-i-encounter.md): Irene Redfield unexpectedly reunites with Clare Kendry at the Drayton hotel in Chicago. Irene recalls their childhood and the rumors about Clare's disappearance and possible passing as white. Clare reveals she married a 
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i.md): Irene Redfield receives a letter from Clare Kendry, which she dreads opening. The letter rekindles memories of Clare's reckless and dangerous nature, as well as their shared past in Chicago. Irene recalls Clare's childho
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/ii.md): Irene Redfield reunites with Clare Kendry at the Drayton Hotel in Chicago after twelve years. They share tea and conversation, with Irene recounting her life while Clare listens intently. Clare reveals her marriage to a 
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iii.md): Irene reluctantly agrees to visit Clare at the Morgan hotel, where she finds Clare and Gertrude Martin. During tea, John Bellew arrives and expresses virulent racist views, unaware that his wife and her friends are Black

> 16 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=short_fiction_39_se_1167kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Part II: Re-Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/part-ii-re-encounter.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Part III: Finale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/part-iii-finale.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Sanctuary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/sanctuary.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters/iv.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_39_se/chapters