In the novel The Human Stain by Philip Roth, a professor at a college in the Northeast is forced into early retirement after he is accused of racism. The charge turns out to be ironic when the reader learns that the professor has a secret. The professor was born to African American parents and has been covering up his heritage and living as a white man his whole adult life. Of what is this an example?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of passing, which is when someone from a marginalized or stigmatized group chooses to present themselves as a member of a more privileged group to avoid discrimination or persecution. In this case, the professor passed as white to avoid the discrimination and oppression experienced by African Americans during the time period in which he lived.

In the Novel the Human Stain by Philip Roth, a Professor