The Cain Allusion in Jean Toomer’s Cane

Published in 1923, Cane, the representative work of Jean Toomer has been widely studied by critics. Among which,one of perspectives is to analyze the biblical metaphors in the novel. A closer reading of the book shows that the Cain allusion is an unifying theme, for the author once refers Cane as Cain, and most of the characters in the novel are blacks who are believed to be descendant of Cain because of the color of their skin as well as the same suffering of isolation and alienation. Here a study of the Cain allusion in the novel is presented with focus on Karintha’s story in the first part of Cane.