The Emperor Jones :: Emperor Jones Essays

The Emperor J whizs In Eugene ONeils play, The Emperor Jones, he presents a crucial lesson to universekind one should not pretend to be someone who he is not. Multiple repercussions may occur to someone who denies their background and race. For example, in The Emperor Jones, the character, Brutus Jones, dissembles as a publish uncontaminating man (Jones was really black and was supposed to be in slavery during that time). Because of Jones denial, he encounters numerous illusions in the forest of his black heritage, which haunt him until he is finally killed by his natives, under the accusation of an insurgence against his people. ONeil introduces the theme of denial bluntly. In the opening scene of the play, it is clear to the audience, from a nineteenth century perspective, that Brutus Jones corporeal features oppose his personal opinion of his individual status. Jones, a colored man, was expected to be a slave during the eighteen hundreds. Ironically, Jones proudly clai ms to be a white man and is portrayed as a powerful man in this first scene. After ONeil presents his theme of denial, he supplies following scenes with the consequences of illusions, displaying his true lineage. One tincture Jones encounters is a gang of Negroes chained, working on the road supervised by a white man. The anticipation of the audience is that Jones will assist the white man with managing the slaves. Instead, Jones is ordered to work subconsciously, he proceeds to the slave work with his fellow natives. Jones finally realizes his actions and shoots the apparition, which immediately disappears. Jones experiences a similar illusion later of chained blacks, sit in rows, wailing, awaiting their slavery. Intuitively, Jones joins their rhythm and swaying and his cry rises louder than the others. This illusion leaves on its own and Jones advances through the forest. These two apparitions demonstrate that inside, Jones really understands that he is colored, but he cannot ad mit it. The coterminous two of Jones illusions display that the other people realize that Jones is black which aggravates him even more. First Jones confronts a slave auction. He spectates until he realizes that it is he, who is being auctioned. As a result, Jones loses examine and goes wild. Finally, Jones witnesses a religious sacrifice, one similar to his native religious. It is not until Jones realizes that the witch doctor is offering him as a sacrifice, to be eaten by the crocodile, that Jones loses control once again.