The Vanishing Half By Brit Bennett

 "The Vanishing Half" By Brit Bennett

Introduction

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores themes of race, identity, family, and acceptance. The story follows the lives of the Vignes sisters, who grow up in a small, black community in Louisiana in the 1950s. The sisters run away to New Orleans as teenagers, and from there, their lives take dramatically different paths. One sister marries a black man and returns to her hometown to raise her daughter, while the other sister passes as white and creates a new life for herself.

As the story unfolds, the author delves into the complex issues of racial identity and the societal pressures that can lead to passing. The novel not only explores the experience of those who pass but also delves into the impact their choices have on those around them. Through the Vignes sisters' stories, the book raises questions about what it means to belong and what we sacrifice when we try to fit in.

The Vanishing Half is not only a beautifully written novel, but it is also an important commentary on the social and cultural factors that shape our identities and the way we view others. It challenges readers to examine their own biases and prejudices and to consider the impact of those biases on others. In this blog post, we will dive into the themes of the book and explore its relevance to contemporary society.

Summary Of The Plot

The Vanishing Half tells the story of identical twin sisters, Desiree and Stella Vignes, who grow up in a small, black community in Louisiana in the 1950s. The sisters are inseparable as children, but as they become teenagers, they become increasingly disillusioned with their small-town lives and decide to run away to New Orleans.

In New Orleans, the sisters' paths diverge dramatically. Desiree marries a dark-skinned black man named Early and returns to their hometown to raise her daughter, Jude. Stella, on the other hand, passes as white and creates a new life for herself in California, completely cutting off contact with her family and her past.

The novel follows the lives of the Vignes sisters and their families over several decades, exploring the themes of race, identity, and family. Desiree's daughter, Jude, grows up in a predominantly black community and struggles with her identity as a dark-skinned black girl in a world that values light skin. Meanwhile, Stella's daughter, Kennedy, grows up in a wealthy, white family and is shielded from the realities of racism and inequality.

As the story unfolds, the sisters' lives intersect once again, and the consequences of their choices are revealed. The novel explores the complex issues of racial identity and the societal pressures that can lead to passing. It also delves into the impact of the sisters' choices on those around them, including their families and their children.

Through the Vignes sisters' stories, The Vanishing Half raises questions about what it means to belong and what we sacrifice when we try to fit in. It is a powerful commentary on the social and cultural factors that shape our identities and the way we view others.

Historical Context

To fully understand the themes and significance of The Vanishing Half, it is essential to consider the historical context in which the novel is set. The book is set in the United States during the mid-twentieth century, a time when racism and segregation were rampant and deeply ingrained in society.

One of the key historical themes explored in the book is passing, the practice of light-skinned African Americans passing as white to escape discrimination and prejudice. Passing was a way for individuals to gain access to better opportunities and escape the limitations of racial segregation. However, passing also meant that individuals had to deny their own racial identity and often cut ties with their families and communities.

During the early to mid-twentieth century, passing was a common practice in America, particularly among those who were light-skinned enough to "pass" as white. The civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination, led to the decline of passing as a common practice. However, passing still occurs today, albeit less frequently than in the past.

The novel also explores the impact of the Great Migration, a period of mass migration of African Americans from the southern states to the northern and western states. The Vignes sisters' move from Louisiana to New Orleans is a reflection of this migration, as many African Americans left the south in search of better economic opportunities and to escape the violence and discrimination of Jim Crow laws.

The Great Migration also had a significant impact on the demographics and culture of northern and western cities, as African Americans brought their culture, music, and traditions with them. However, the migration also led to the creation of segregated communities in northern and western cities, as African Americans were often restricted to certain neighborhoods and faced discrimination in housing and employment.

In conclusion, The Vanishing Half is set during a crucial period in American history, and the themes of passing and the Great Migration are essential to understanding the novel's significance. The book explores the complex issues of race and identity that continue to shape American society today.

Characters

The Vanishing Half features a rich cast of characters, each with their own unique struggles and experiences. The two main characters are the Vignes sisters, Desiree and Stella, whose divergent life paths are the driving force behind the novel's plot.

Desiree is the more rebellious of the two sisters, and after running away to New Orleans, she marries a dark-skinned black man named Early and returns to their hometown to raise their daughter, Jude. Desiree is haunted by her past and the trauma she experienced growing up in a small, close-minded community. She is determined to provide a better life for her daughter and help her escape the limitations of their small town.

Stella, on the other hand, is the more reserved of the sisters, and after running away to New Orleans, she passes as white and creates a new life for herself in California. Stella is deeply conflicted about her decision to pass and the impact it has had on her family and her sense of identity. She struggles with feelings of guilt and shame and is constantly worried that her secret will be uncovered.

Jude, Desiree's daughter, is another significant character in the novel. She is a bright and determined young woman who faces her own struggles with identity and acceptance. Jude is dark-skinned, and she feels like an outsider in a world that values light skin. She is also deeply affected by her mother's disappearance and is determined to uncover the truth about her family's past.

Kennedy, Stella's daughter, is another key character in the novel. She is raised in a wealthy, white family and is shielded from the realities of racism and inequality. Kennedy is initially unaware of her mother's past and struggles to come to terms with the knowledge that her family has been living a lie.

The supporting characters in the novel are also well-drawn and complex, from Early, Desiree's husband, to Reese, Kennedy's boyfriend, and even the small-town gossips who spread rumors about the Vignes family. Each character has their own unique story to tell and adds depth and nuance to the novel.

In conclusion, The Vanishing Half is a character-driven novel that explores the complex issues of race, identity, and family through a rich and diverse cast of characters. The novel's characters are well-drawn and complex, each with their own unique struggles and experiences, and together they create a powerful and thought-provoking portrait of American society.

Writing Styles and Themes

The writing style of The Vanishing Half is lyrical and evocative, with lush descriptions of the Louisiana landscape and vivid characterizations of the novel's complex cast of characters. The novel is structured around alternating perspectives, allowing the reader to gain insight into each character's inner thoughts and motivations.

Identity

One of the key themes of the novel is identity, particularly the ways in which race and gender intersect to shape our sense of self. The Vignes sisters' decision to pass as white is a powerful commentary on the fluidity and complexity of racial identity, and the novel raises important questions about the nature of identity and the impact of societal expectations and constraints.

Power Of Secrets

Another theme explored in the novel is the power of secrets and the toll they can take on individuals and families. Stella's decision to pass as white is a secret that she carries with her for decades, and it has a profound impact on her relationships with her family and her own sense of self-worth. Similarly, Desiree's decision to leave her hometown and her family behind is a secret that she carries with her for many years, and it shapes her relationship with her daughter and her own sense of guilt and shame.

Impact of Family 

The novel also explores the impact of family and community on our sense of self. The Vignes sisters are deeply connected to their hometown and their family, even as they navigate their own paths in life. Jude's journey to uncover the truth about her family's past is a testament to the power of family and the impact of our connections to others.

Racism

Finally, the novel is a commentary on the pervasive influence of racism and discrimination in American society. The Vignes sisters' experiences of racism and discrimination shape their decisions and their sense of self, and the novel raises important questions about the impact of systemic inequality on individuals and communities.

In conclusion, The Vanishing Half is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes of identity, secrets, family, and the impact of racism on American society. The novel's richly drawn characters and lyrical writing style make for a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Vanishing Half is a stunning novel that examines the complex and intertwined issues of race, identity, family, and community. Brit Bennett's writing is evocative and richly descriptive, and her characters are complex and nuanced, allowing readers to explore the depths of the human experience.

The novel raises important questions about the nature of identity and the impact of societal expectations and constraints, particularly around race and gender. The Vignes sisters' decision to pass as white is a powerful commentary on the fluidity and complexity of racial identity, and the novel challenges readers to examine their own assumptions about identity and the ways in which societal expectations can shape our sense of self.

At its heart, The Vanishing Half is a novel about the power of family and the impact of secrets on individuals and communities. The Vignes sisters' experiences highlight the ways in which our connections to others shape our sense of self and the decisions we make in life.

Ultimately, The Vanishing Half is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of the human experience with grace and insight. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of exploring difficult and uncomfortable topics in order to better understand ourselves and our world.