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39 pages 1 hour read

The Emperor Jones

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1920

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Book Brief

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Eugene O'Neill

The Emperor Jones

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1920
Book Details
Pages

64

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Caribbean Island • 1920s

Publication Year

1920

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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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.

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Suspenseful

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

3.7

2,439 ratings

44%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

22%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

3.7

2,439 ratings

44%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

22%

Not a fan

Character List

Brutus Jones

The protagonist who establishes himself as emperor on a Caribbean island after escaping prison in the United States. His rise to power is marked by ambition, cunning, and manipulation of the islanders' beliefs.

A white Cockney sailor with a manipulative nature who plays a significant role in Jones’s rise to power. He harbors resentment towards Jones and is characterized by his unscrupulous and cowardly demeanor.

An islander dressed in humble attire who exhibits fear and vulnerability in the presence of Brutus Jones.

A leadership figure among the islanders who opposes Jones’s rule. His actions represent the islanders’ efforts to liberate themselves from oppression.

An Indigenous religious figure who appears in Jones's visions. His presence is a symbol of the consequences of Jones’s oppressive rule.

Book Details
Pages

64

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Caribbean Island • 1920s

Publication Year

1920

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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