Passing, Covering and the Role of Authenticity in Marvel's X-Men Universe

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to demonstrate the evolution of racial passing to covering, as a result of the changing social climate. Additionally, I will be demonstrating the role of authenticity in self-identification versus group categorization. I will be discussing the problems with utilizing group categorization and how this affects one’s psyche. Through the lens of passing literature such as Nella Larsen’s Passing and Kenji Yoshino’s autobiographical essay on Covering we will explore how this evolution has transferred to literature such as graphic novels. In particular, I will be analyzing selected works by Chris Claremont from Marvel’s X-Men series, and how the topic of racial passing and covering is discussed in non-traditional literature.