The Emperor Jones

by Eugene O'Neill
List(s):"Racine Library List"
Category: "Drama"
Pages:26
Year of Publication:1920
Date Added:04/29/2009
Date Read:11/25/2009
Notes:Jones is an American Black with a criminal record. He escapes from prison and travels to an unidentified island where he convinces the primitive natives that he has magical powers. They make him emperor, and he spends his time cheating them of what little they have and putting the money into a private account. When they rise up against him, he flees to the shore to escape. But he gets lost in the jungle and meets up with various phantoms representing his past life. In the morning, the natives find him lost and insane and kill him.
My Rating: 4

Reviews for The Emperor Jones

Review - Emperor Jones, The

I guess the play is supposed to represent the history of Blacks wrapped up in one character. It may have meant something in 1920, when it was written, but it's woefully dated now.

Reviewed by Roger on 2009-11-25 09:53:34

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