Analyzing Pinky’s character reveals much about the practice of racial passing. When Pinky leaves her hometown, she successfully passes as white, allowing her to become a nurse and possibly marry Tom, a white doctor. However, when Pinky returns home, she is unable to hide her African American roots. During the incident with the local police, Pinky could have easily avoided trouble by passing as white, but she chooses to reveal that she is black.
Despite being able to pass as a white woman, Pinky ultimately embraces her African American heritage. At the end of the film, Pinky gives up both her relationship with Tom and her life as a white woman to open a clinic and nursery school for African Americans. However, because Pinky has the potential to live two entirely different lives, the ending of the film will never be truly satisfying.
Despite being able to pass as a white woman, Pinky ultimately embraces her African American heritage. At the end of the film, Pinky gives up both her relationship with Tom and her life as a white woman to open a clinic and nursery school for African Americans. However, because Pinky has the potential to live two entirely different lives, the ending of the film will never be truly satisfying.