Irene stated that she and Clare are “strangers even in their racial consciousness” (Larsen, 93). How Chiara can give up her ancestral roots without hesitation really confuses Irene. Clare has the ability to cross both the white and black worlds, but this ability makes her seem lost. He doesn't seem to have the ability to identify with being black or white. This inability to have a concrete identity in both racial communities demonstrates that she “didn't care about race. She alone was part of it” (Larsen, 76). Clare's inability to be racially safe forces Irene to conclude that race is a “means to an end” for Clare. As a result, Irene appears to be more confident in her identity while Clare uses race for personal gain and not as an indication of identity. We see this in Clare's desire to be a part of the black community whenever she wants, but she also wants the chance to maintain her life in the white community as well. Irene's approach to running is the exact opposite of Clare's. He is true to his race and culture. He doesn't deny his race in public or make the decision to pass unnecessarily. Despite Clare's inability to commit to race and Irene's racial loyalty, race continues to control their lives and the choices they make.