Jean Toomer (1894-1967) was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Nathan Toomer and Nina Elizabeth Pinchback, both of whom were of white and black heritage. After graduating from the highly regarded all-black M Street School he traveled extensively and attended six institutions of higher education studying agriculture, fitness, biology, sociology, and history. Although he never completed a degree, his wide readings among prominent contemporary poets and writers, and the lectures he attended during his college years, shaped the direction of his writing. From his earliest writings, Toomer insisted on being identified only as American. With ancestry among seven ethnic and national groups, he gained experience in both white and non-white societies, and resisted being classified as a Negro writer. He grudgingly allowed the publisher of Cane to use that term, but wrote to his publisher, Horace Liveright, "My racial composition and my position in the world are realities that I alone may determine." Although he wrote prolifically after the publication of Cane, he ceased public literary endeavors from 1950 until his death in 1967.

Jean Toomer delivers a vivid depiction of America in the early twentieth century that centers the Black experience, consisting of family, religion, romance and race. It's a detailed work of fiction that's closely rooted in reality.
A collection of disparate stories illustrating the challenges and motivations of Black people in the United States. The author uses poetry and imagery to create a world that's recognizable but also unique. In "Seventh Street," the narrative follows the happenings of a historic neighborhood with links to World War I and Prohibition. There's also "Blood Burning Moon," which highlights a volatile love triangle that leads to tragic results. It's an insightful read that introduces outsiders to a different point of view.
Jean Toomer's Cane is highly revered for its unique structure and compelling storytelling. It presents a brilliant contrast of rural and urban living, while acknowledging the racial disparities of both. This modern classic was crucial in establishing and cementing Toomer's literary legacy.
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