The Emperor Jones | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Jeff - This character is brown rather than black-skinned, thin, middle-aged, and dressed in a Pullman porter's uniform. This character was killed over a craps game.

Brutus Jones - This character comes to a West Indian island and convinces the natives that he has magical powers.

Lem - This character is a former chieftain on the island and the leader of the natives who finally lead a rebellion against dictatorial rule.

Little Formless Fears - These characters move noiselessly, but with deliberate, painful effort, striving to raise themselves on end, failing and sinking...
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