Jean Toomer's Cane is a series of observations and stories about the African American culture of the early 20th century. Toomer's book is somewhat unconventional because the stories are only loosely related to one another, and they are presented through a combination of prose, poetry and verse. Sometimes setting, characters or theme connect the events of the book. The first section is concerned with life near the cane fields of rural Georgia. Prominent themes include spirituality, superstition and racism. In the second section of the book, the setting moves to the urban neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. Here, the distractions of the city tempt and separate the characters from their spirituality and their ability to connect with one another. The last section of the book consists of one longer story, "Kabnis," which brings together the influences of the city and the countryside. (read more)
