In Larsons novels Quicksand and Passing both novels deal with the characters act for passing and how both African American women live their lives and where there place is in society In the novel Quicksand Helgas self satisfaction is impossible to satisfy Helga felt isolated after being around Negroes for too long Helga was confused about her life she wanted to get out of her normal surroundings and move to another city Helga deciding that she wants to leave Naxos she was upset with the racists