# Helen — Cane character guide

> Helen in Cane by Jean Toomer.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Helen⁠

**First appearance:** 0038-part-ii-bona-and-paul

## Who they are

A woman mentioned in passing, possibly a love interest.

## Relationships

### [Paul Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/paul_johnson)

_social_

Helen is a white acquaintance of Paul Johnson, part of the social circle that highlights racial boundaries.

### [Paul Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/paul_johnson)

_social_

Helen is a white acquaintance of Paul Johnson, part of the social circle that highlights racial boundaries.

### [Paul Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/characters/paul_johnson)

_social_

Helen is a white acquaintance of Paul Johnson, part of the social circle that highlights racial boundaries.

## In the story

### [Bona and Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cane_se/chapters/part-ii-bona-and-paul)

Bona's friend, who accompanies them to the Crimson Gardens and embodies the superficiality of their social circle.

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

Helen is the girl captain of the basketball team. She initially resists Bona's demand to play but eventually accepts a substitute.

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

Helen is mentioned as the one who arranged the double date with Art, connecting Bona and Paul.

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

Helen is present as Art's companion, with puffy yellow hair, and engages in a quarrel with Art.

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

Art's date; tries to placate Paul; feels snide about him afterward.

## Links

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