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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 when he is invited, with a gesture, to join the figures he sees in the third forest scene?

3. What does Emperor Jones hear in the forest?

4. Who tried but failed to kill Emperor Jones?

5. What are the figures carrying who Emperor Jones sees in the third forest scene?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the apparition Emperor Jones sees in the sixth forest scene.

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

3. What does the audience learn about Emperor Jones from the apparition he sees in Act 1, Scene 4?

4. What does Emperor Jones do when he understands what the figure in the sixth forest scene's apparition wants from him?

5. Describe the apparition Emperor Jones sees in the fourth forest scene.

6. Describe Emperor Jones' state of mind when the fourth forest scene opens.

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

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

9. Describe Emperor Jones' appearance in the first scene.

10. Describe Emperor Jones' appearance in the fifth 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

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 673 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample