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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Emperor Jones feel about the thing he throws into the bushes in the fourth forest scene?

2. What atmosphere does the drumming create during the fourth forest scene?

3. Which religion predominates in Emperor Jones' final vision?

4. What does Emperor Jones feel when he realizes his part in the vision he sees in the fourth forest scene?

5. Which literary term describes the interaction between Emperor Jones' voice and the voices of the figures in his vision in the fifth forest scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Describe three things Emperor Jones is guilty about. Does he purge his guilt for any or all of them? Does he use different methods to purge his guilt over any one of the things he has done? Does he ever get free of his guilt or is he killed with guilt heavy on his conscience?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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