The Emperor Jones

Brutus Jones is the central character in Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones. From the outset, he is portrayed as a cunningly ambitious man. Having escaped prison in the United States, he arrives on a remote Caribbean island and quickly establishes himself as emperor. His ambition knows no bounds, and he employs brutal tactics to maintain control over the inhabitants. The protagonist’s own name, “Brutus,” reflects this ruthlessness, and Jones becomes a symbol of tyranny and oppression. O’Neill draws a parallel between Jones and one of Haiti’s former leaders, Vilbrun Guillaume Sam. Like Jones, Sam met his tragic fate at the hands of the very people he oppressed. In drawing from this historical event, O’Neill crafts his play as a cautionary tale about the perils of authoritarianism and the possible reckoning that awaits those who abuse their power.

In his quick rise to power, Jones fabricates a myth around his mortality. By convincing the islanders that he is immune to lead bullets and can only be harmed by a silver bullet, Jones perpetuates an illusion of invincibility. This deception underscores his cunning and manipulative nature, as well as his ability to exploit the islanders’ superstitions to instill fear and obedience in the islanders.