Cane · Character

Bona

A white Southern woman whose willingness to love Paul across the color line exposes the lie at the heart of the polite South.

supporting

First appearance: Bona and Paul

As a supporting figure in Cane, Bona is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A white woman attracted to Paul, yet unable to fully bridge the racial and emotional distance.

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Bona sits in the theater audience with Bernice, noticing the woman with too much powder and the orchestra tuning up, while Dan watches Muriel and seethes. She belongs to the world of brass box seats and clapping on cue, yet her presence in Paul's life pulls against everything that world permits. Her willingness to cross the line is what makes the racial boundary feel less like a law of nature and more like a choice the South enforces with rope and fire.

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Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Bona sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Interracial romance and tragedy
Dan's world of conflict

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the reaper, isolated by sensory deprivation (blindness, deafn…

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Relationships

Paul Johnson
romantic · ambivalent
Bona and Paul Johnson share a passionate but complicated interracial romance marked by… How this plays out →
Paul Johnson
romantic · ambivalent
Bona and Paul Johnson share a passionate but complicated interracial romance marked by… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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In the story

Bona appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Bona and Paul
A white woman attracted to Paul, yet unable to fully bridge the racial and emotional distance.
I
Bona is captivated by Paul, watching him during drills and forcing her way into a basketball game to be near him. After a physical clash, she embraces him and then flees the hall.
II
Bona is referenced as the object of Paul's desire and the date Art has arranged; she is described as tall, serious, and unbothered by gossip.
III
Bona is initially affectionate, squeezing Paul's hand, but becomes nervous and resentful. She confesses her love but is hurt by Paul's inability to reciprocate.
IV
Dances with Paul; feels contempt and passion; leaves while Paul confronts the doorman.

Chapter companion notes

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