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Similes
Key Examples in The Emperor Jones
Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Silver Bullet:
During Scene 1, Jones and Smithers reflect on how Jones came to occupy the position of Emperor on the island through “bloomin’ luck” and trickery. In doing so, the pair reveal the fact that Jones’s claim to imperial power relies entirely on his subjects’ ignorance, in an example of dramatic irony:
Smithers: You said yer’d got a charm so’s no lead bullet’d kill yer. You was so strong only a silver bullet could kill yer, you told ’em. Blimey, wasn’t that swank for yer—and plain, fat-’eaded luck?
Jones [Proudly] : I got brains and I uses ’em quick. Dat ain’t luck.
Smithers: Yer know they wasn’t ’ardly liable to get no silver bullets. And it was luck ’e didn’t ’it you that time.
Jones [Laughing]: And dere all dem fool, bush n----rs was kneelin’ down and bumpin’ deir heads on de ground like I was a miracle out o’ de Bible. Oh Lawd, from dat time on I has dem all eatin’ out of my hand.
Related Themes:
Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—The Circular Forest:
At the end of the play, in Scene 8, Jones is caught and killed by Lem’s followers. In an instance of situational irony, his death occurs just a short distance from the spot where he entered the forest in search of his escape path. In this way, the place he thought would be his refuge ends up being the site of his downfall. As he enters the forest in Scene 2, Jones remarks to himself:
Unlock with LitCharts A+You is still in de pink—on’y a little mite feverish. Cool yo’selfs. Remember you done got a long journey yit befo’ you.
Related Themes:
