The Emperor Jones

Critics often link Brutus Jones’s journey in The Emperor Jones to broader societal implications of the relentless pursuit of power and wealth. Playwrights like Eugene O’Neill grappled with the profound social and cultural changes modernity brought and often experimented with ways to illuminate the modern individual’s response to a rapidly changing world. Jones’s rise to the throne mirrors civilization’s modern quest for supremacy, inviting the audience to ponder the alluring yet insidious nature of power. After having spent years in servitude and subjugation, Jones goes to great lengths to secure his position as emperor of the island. He ruthlessly manipulates and exploits the island’s inhabitants, using fear to maintain control. He also surrounds himself with symbols of authority, such as a stolen uniform and a crown, which remind him of his newfound status. When reflecting on his actions, he at first justifies them as a means to achieve financial success and social prominence: “For de little stealin’ dey gits you in jail soon or late. For de big stealin’ dey makes you Emperor and puts you in de Hall o’ Fame when you croaks” (154). Jones’s comments describe the cost of success in a capitalist world, where exploitation can lead to fame and fortune, even if it is at the expense of one’s moral integrity.