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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 is the setting where the play begins?

2. How does Emperor Jones feel after he has seen the black figures?

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

4. What does Emperor Jones decide to do after he rings for the servants?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Emperor Jones' state of mind in the second scene.

2. Describe Emperor Jones' state of mind at the beginning of the third forest scene.

3. What relationship binds Emperor Jones to the figures in the vision he sees in the fifth forest scene?

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

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

6. What effect does Emperor Jones create by stripping off his clothes?

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

8. What gives Emperor Jones his confidence when he learns that the natives are rising against him?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Emperor Jones strips off his clothing as the play goes on. Describe three instances where clothing is important in the play and describe the symbolic significance of clothing in the play.

Essay Topic 2

How does the action of the play affect you as a viewer? Are you sympathetic to Emperor Jones' situation or does he seem like a villain? Do you want him to escape, or do you want him to be caught and killed? How does the play manipulate your sympathies and expectations? Do you feel relieved at the conclusion? Do you feel that justice has been done?

Essay Topic 3

Does Emperor Jones simply get what is coming to him, or does he learn anything through the course of the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 695 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample