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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which literary device is employed in this first forest scene?

2. What does Emperor Jones do after he shoots at the apparition in the third forest scene?

3. Why does Emperor Jones head for the forest at the end of the first scene?

4. Where does Emperor Jones look for the food he buried?

5. What is the basis for Smithers' authority in the palace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting for the first scene of the play.

2. Describe the apparition Emperor Jones sees in the third forest scene.

3. Describe the setting where Act 1, Scene 4 begins.

4. Where is the native woman going in the first scene?

5. Describe Jeff's appearance in the second forest scene.

6. What is it that gives Emperor Jones the courage to act in the fourth forest scene?

7. Contrast the vision Emperor Jones has in the fourth forest scene with the first vision he has.

8. In what way is Emperor Jones' situation ironic?

9. How have the natives prepared to kill Emperor Jones?

10. What does Emperor Jones do when he sees Jeff?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Are the natives any better off now that they have killed Emperor Jones? Is there any evidence that they might not be?

Essay Topic 2

Emperor Jones uses violence to solve certain problems in his life, but he is brought down by an act of violence himself. Compare and contrast his murder of Jeff and his murder by the natives. How are they similar? How are they different? Is one act of violence equivalent to another? Is one more or less just than the other?

Essay Topic 3

Emperor Jones is haunted by scenes from America's slave-holding history. How is Emperor Jones in the same position as the slaves? How is his situation different?

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