The Emperor Jones

Explore the significance of Jones’s admission of guilt in Scene 5 and how it marks a turning point in his character development. How does it contribute to the development of the theme of guilt in the play?

How does the play comment on the broader historical context of American imperialism in the early 20th century?

Examine Brutus Jones’s characterization in The Emperor Jones. How did this character break new ground at the time of the play’s release? What are the shortcomings in Eugene O’Neill’s depiction of his protagonist? How might a modern rendition of the play change these shortcomings?

Is The Emperor Jones a tragedy in the classical sense? If not, how would you classify its genre? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Investigate the symbolism of Brutus Jones’s uniform and its evolution throughout the play. How does it reflect his changing status and psychological state?

Explore the theme of power and its corrupting influence in The Emperor Jones. How does Brutus Jones’s pursuit of power reflect broader societal struggles in the early 20th century?

Analyze the motif of the silver bullet in the play. How does it represent both control and rebellion? What role does it play in the narrative’s development?

Critically assess how Black and Indigenous characters are portrayed in the play. How do these portrayals contribute to the play’s themes and overall message?