# Bob Stone — Cane character guide

> Bob Stone in Cane by Jean Toomer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bob, III Bob Stone

**First appearance:** 0021-part-i-blood-burning-moon

## Snapshot

A white man who drives through the cane to claim Louisa, and whose slashed throat summons the whole white South down on Tom Burwell.

## Who they are

Bob Stone comes out of the shadows at the well, announcing himself by name to Tom Burwell as if the name alone should settle things. He lunges, is flung down twice, and finally pulls a knife—only to have his own throat opened and stagger bleeding toward Broad Street. His collapse in white men's arms is the spark: within minutes, shotguns, rope, kerosene, and searchlights are rolling toward factory town, and Bob's wound becomes the excuse for a burning.

## Relationships

### [Tom Burwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/tom_burwell)

_rivalry_

Bob Stone is a white man who competes with Tom Burwell for Louisa's affection, leading to violent confrontation.

### [Tom Burwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/tom_burwell)

_rivalry_

Bob Stone is a white man who competes with Tom Burwell for Louisa's affection, leading to violent confrontation.

### [Tom Burwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/tom_burwell)

_rivalry_

Bob Stone is a white man who competes with Tom Burwell for Louisa's affection, leading to violent confrontation.

## In the story

### [Blood-Burning Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/chapters/part-i-blood-burning-moon)

A white man who desires Louisa and confronts Tom Burwell, leading to his own death.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/chapters/part-i-i)

Younger son of Louisa's employers; he loves her and, by worldly reckoning, has won her.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Mentioned in rumors about giving Louisa silk stockings, provoking Tom's jealousy.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Bob Stone reflects on his relationship with Louisa and the social implications of their affair, leading to a fatal confrontation with Tom Burwell.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/bob_stone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters