Investigate the origins of Expressionism in both painting and theatre during the early twentieth century. Analyze how The Emperor Jones exemplifies expressionistic themes and techniques.

Delve into the lives of Charles Gilpin (1878-1930) and Paul Robeson (1898-1976), the African American actors who played Brutus Jones in the original stage production (1920) and the film adaptation (1933) of The Emperor Jones. Examine how their race influenced their personal and professional experiences.

Explore the depiction of African Americans in drama and film during the first three decades of the twentieth century. Compare these portrayals with the characterizations in O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones.

Study the physiology and psychology behind hallucinations. Investigate what occurs in the human brain when individuals "see" and experience things that aren't actually there. Relate this information to the experiences of Brutus Jones in The Emperor Jones.

Examine multiple biographies of Eugene O’Neill to understand how his father, James O’Neill, saw his promising acting career "ruined" by his overwhelming success in the stage play The Count of Monte Cristo. Additionally, look into biographies and the autobiography of twentieth-century actor Basil Rathbone, who faced a similar situation with his success in the Sherlock Holmes film series. Finally, read O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night and discuss how the concept of "success" can be misleading, a theme that also resonates in The Emperor Jones.