39 pages • 1 hour read
Eugene O'NeillThe Emperor Jones
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1920A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Emperor Jones by Eugene O’Neill depicts the rise and fall of Brutus Jones, an escaped convict from the United States who becomes the emperor of a Caribbean island through deceit. When the islanders revolt, Jones attempts to flee through a forest, only to be haunted by visions of his past crimes, leading to his ultimate demise. Contains depictions of racial stereotyping and offensive language.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill receives praise for its powerful portrayal of psychological descent and innovative use of expressionist techniques. Critics commend its intense atmosphere and groundbreaking structure. However, some reviews criticize its racial themes as dated and troubling. Overall, it's a bold, albeit controversial, piece in American drama.
Who Should Read The Emperor Jones?
A reader who would enjoy The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill appreciates intense psychological dramas and themes of power and downfall. Fans of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will find similar explorations of character and societal critique in O'Neill's work.