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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. What do the natives mistakenly think about Emperor Jones?

2. Where is the play set?

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

4. Which answer describes Jeff's movements?

5. How does Jeff's appearance affect Jones' flight?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting for Act 1, Scene 5, the fourth forest scene.

2. Before he sees Jeff, Emperor Jones surveys himself and assesses his plight. How does he feel about his situation?

3. Describe the setting where the final scene opens.

4. How long has Emperor Jones been walking when the second forest scene begins?

5. Describe Emperor Jones' appearance in the second forest scene.

6. Contrast Emperor Jones' status in the first scene with his status at the end of the sixth forest scene.

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

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

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

10. List two interpretations of Jones' vision in the fourth forest scene.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How has the situation of American blacks changed since 1929, when this play was written? Have they overcome the challenges Emperor Jones faces, or represents himself as having faced? Has the ambiguity of the play's ending been resolved by multiculturalism? Cite instances from recent history as well as instances from the script.

Essay Topic 2

What is the moral of Emperor Jones? Does the play teach a moral? If you think it does, describe how that lesson is presented. If you think that it does not, what does it teach us, if not a moral?

Essay Topic 3

Emperor Jones is almost offered up as a sacrifice to the crocodile. What else is sacrificed in the play? Describe three sacrifices. What is given up? What does the sacrificer hope to obtain in return?

(see the answer keys)

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