The novel "The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen Passing, Quicksand, and the Stories" was during the Harlem Renaissance in which Larsen was a contributor. The Harlem Renaissance was the name given to an inventive artistic explosion of Africa American cultural that took place after World War I. During this time, Larsen, who grew up in New York city, was considered to be a emerging, biracial female novelist. Larsen faced unique challenges by being not only a biracial woman but a woman period. As a woman she didn't have the privilege as a Caucasian man did and has had for over centuries. Larsen's theme of passing is timeless; today more than ever we continue to see people try to pass as someone they are not, often times at great cost to themselves.