Summary Of Jean Toomer And Cane

In “Jean Toomer and Cane: ‘Mixed-Blood’ Impossibilities,” Gino Michael Pellegrini analyzes the role that Jean Toomer’s political aspirations and biracial heritage played in the development of Cane. Pellegrini argues that Toomer’s sole purpose for writing Cane was to illustrate his personal experiences as a biracial, American man with the hopes of drawing attention to the plight of the mixed-race and that his efforts were widely misinterpreted. I agree with Pellegrini’s critical interpretation of Cane and could recognize instances of objectification, isolation, and powerlessness that align with Toomer’s own experiences.
Pellegrini begins his critique with information about Toomer before he wrote the modernist masterpiece that is Cane. He initially describes Toomer as a forward thinking, politically driven man with a “fascination with miscegenation.” After becoming acquainted with Frank Waldo, Toomer took an interest in the political power of artwork, relating to the suppressed minority cultures, in terms of shaping a better America. He theorized that his own mixed-race heritage would be an “integrating force” and that an artistic account of his history could be a “catalyst for cultural change in America.” It was only after attempting to publish Cane that Toomer realized America was not
Esther clearly did not fit in with the people in her community. This is detrimental to her, as a person, because she was aware of her separation from others and that wore her down. When Esther gets the opportunity to confess her feelings to King Barlo, and she is made to feel alienated sucks the rest of the life out of her. In that moment, she realizes that she does not have a community because she does not belong with either the black or white race. Every mixed-race person, including Toomer, has experienced the deflation when everywhere seems like it is not “th place fer