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Description edit
A blistering character study and an examination of the American melting pot and the judicial system that keeps it in check, Twelve Angry Men holds at its core a deeply patriotic faith in the US legal system. The play centres on Juror Eight, who is at first the sold holdout in an 11-1 guilty... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Juror One (foreman): The man who tries to lead the discussions, but who is often overtaken by the disorder of the other eleven men. He is open to what other members want, always asking if someone has an opposition to voting, and placing a vote whenever it is requested immediately. He wants to be fair and hear from everyone.
- Juror Two: A youngster who’s never sat on a jury before with interest in the case (others were bored by it).
- Juror Three: Main antagonist, convinced the young man is guilty. And is also a bias and excitable man who runs a messenger service and employs 37 persons. He is a bit of a braggart.
- Joror Four: An intelligent broker who votes guilty based purely on logic instead of prejudice. Comes in with a newspaper
- Juror Five: Grew up in a slum, he usually agrees with what's being talked about but stands up for himself and his views on the situation, works at Harlem Hospital.
- Juror Six: a house painter
- Juror Seven: A huge Yankees fan, he has tickets to a ball game and wants to leave.
- Juror Eight: Main protagonist, wants to give a fair trial and deliberate the evidence given in the court proceedings. Calmly asks jurors to question evidence.
- Juror Nine: An old man, but still open minded to questioning the evidence.
- Juror Ten: (see spoiler)
- Juror Eleven: An immigrant with a German accent, he is a proud American
- Juror Twelve: A man who owns an advert agency
- Guard: The guard who works for the court. He locks the door to the jury room, and brings evidence if the foreman asks for it.
Quotes edit
- Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
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Facts may be colored by the personalities of the people who present them.
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I’ve lived among ’em all my life. You can’t believe a word they say. I mean, they’re born liars.
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Suppose you talk us all outa this and the kid really did knife his father?
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These people are born to lie. Now, it’s the way they are and no intelligent man is gonna tell me otherwise. They don’t know what the truth is. Well, take a look at them. They are different. They think different. They act different. Well, for instance, they don’t need any big excuse to kill someone.
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Let go of me, God damn it! I’ll kill him! I’ll kill him! 8TH JUROR [calmly]: You don’t really mean you’ll kill me, do you?
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8TH JUROR: You don’t believe the boy. How come you believe the woman? She’s one of “them,” too, isn’t she?
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10TH JUROR: Bright? He’s a common, ignorant slob. He don’t even speak good English.
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7TH JUROR: What, just because I voted fast? I think the guy’s guilty. You couldn’t change my mind if you talked for a hundred years.
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3RD JUROR: He’s an old man. You saw him. Half the time he was confused. How could he be positive about anything?
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10TH JUROR: Ah, don’t give me any of that. I’m sick and tired of facts. You can twist ’em any way you like. Know what I mean?
Highlighted by 12 Kindle customers
First Sentence edit
Judge’s Voice: … and that concludes the court’s explanation of the legal aspects of this case.
Table of Contents edit
Introduction by David Mamet (2006 Penguin Classics edition)
Act I
Act II
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Reasonable Doubt: A motif throughout the book, and one of many in the American Judicial system.
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Dramatic Pub. Co.
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1955
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 63
Publisher: Dramatic Pub. Co.
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1955
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 63
Awards edit
- Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play (2005: Drama)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PS3535.O666 T9 1955
- Dewey: 812.54
Subjects edit
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Links to Supplemental Material edit
Movie Connections edit
- 12 Angry Men (1957) (IMDb): Staring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, and E.G. Marshall
Books with Additional Background Information edit
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