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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. How long does Jones think he has been walking at the beginning of the second forest scene?

2. What is the setting where the play begins?

3. Where does Emperor Jones go at the end of this first scene outside the palace?

4. What does Emperor Jones hear in the forest?

5. Where have all the natives gone when the play is just beginning?

Short Essay Questions

1. What progress, if any, has Emperor Jones made in the fifth forest scene?

2. Explain how Emperor Jones attained his authority over the natives.

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

4. What happens between the prison guard and Emperor Jones?

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

6. In what way is the routine of the palace out of the ordinary as the play begins?

7. What is the significance of Emperor Jones' clothing in the fifth forest scene?

8. What happens at the beginning of the second forest scene to ease Emperor Jones' fears?

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

10. What does the figure in the sixth forest scene's apparition communicate to Emperor Jones?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Henry Smithers is the only white man in the play, and the witch doctor and Lem and the old woman in the first scene are the only natives with speaking roles. Compare and contrast the roles of the white and black characters. How are they the same? How are they different? What difference does skin color make in this play? What can Smithers do that the natives cannot, and vice versa? Are these characters presented as individuals, or as typifying their respective races?

Essay Topic 2

Emperor Jones takes advantage of the natives' superstition. Cite three instances of superstition in the play and describe the belief behind each one. Is there another way of believing in things in this play? Does superstition reveal its limitations as a method of belief? Does it reveal its strength? Is one kind of superstition more powerful than another when it comes to Emperor Jones' feelings, or his power over the natives, or Jones' guilt?

Essay Topic 3

What are the different justifications for authority in Emperor Jones? Does the play shift from one kind of authority to another? Citing specific examples from the script, describe the different claims to authority in Emperor Jones.

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This section contains 794 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample