(Mis)-representation of the Blacks in Eugene O'Neill'sThe Emperor Jones

Abstract

The Emperor Jonesdramatizes the socio-political, cultural, and racial turmoil of American society during the 1920s. On the surface observation Eugene O'Neill seems to be positively influenced from the racial riots and movements of Harlem Renaissance. But on the core levelhe cannot come up from his white psyche, which leads him in reaffirming imperialist and repressive attitudes of whites towards blacks. Though some white critics praise O'Neill for giving the role of protagonist to African American for the first time in American theater, his attitude to Brutus Jones, is not positive from his ascension to the Emperor's throne to his assassination. Brutus Jones, the ex-Pullman porter and convict, becomes emperor in an unknown Caribbean island. But his corrupt and exploitativenature leads to the end of his rule and life. Smither, a white cockney trader and factotum of Jones, gets his success in every aspects of his action. His achievement in capturing all wealth and assets of Jones' palace and his success in manipulating rebellious native group is to be noted. Behind the surface intra-racial conflict between Brutus Jones and Lem, the play dramatizes the hidden interracial turmoil of Jones and Lem with Smither which resolves with the victorious glory of the white over the blacks. Thus, the play imposes the discourse of superiority of the whites over the blacks.