ThemesCharactersBackground

Twelve Angry Men

•Reginald Rose: born December 10, 1920 – died April 19, 2002•He was an American film and television writer most widely known for his work in the early years of television drama. •Rose is known for writing about controversial social and political issues. His realistic approach helped create the genre of television drama of the 1950’s.

Reginald Rose

Twelve Angry MenWas originally written for television by

Reginald Rose.The play was inspired by Rose's own

experiences on jury duty off a murder case in New York City..

He did not want to be involved at first but as soon as he walked into the courtroom he was intrigued.

Why is this unique?Murder in the first degree –pre-meditated

homicide- is the most serious charge tried in our criminal justice courts.

“Twelve Angry Men” is not a court-room drama, but rather a jury-room drama during which many aspects of the court proceedings are recalled. The audience is taken into a room in which the general public is never allowed to enter. The experience of this play, then is an unusual one.

Historical Context1950’s

A socially conservative time.People were very materialistic. The

American Dream had turned into the dream of owning things.

Juvenile delinquency was said to be at an all-time high

African Americans were subject to racial discrimination.

Comics were published and growing in popularity.

Television sales were booming.

DiscriminationSome of the jurors think the boy is guilty

because of his background and ethnicity.Slum: A thickly populated area marked by

poverty and dirty or deteriorating houses.(No.8) “I don’ t think it was a very strong move.

This boy has been hit so many times that violence is practically a normal state of affairs with him. I just can’t see two slaps in the face would have provoked him into committing murder.”

Justice

The administration of the lawFairnessRighteousness

IntegrityAdherance to a code of values.

o Juror # Eight

What is a Play?Any type of reading

that is performed on stage.

This includes:DramasComediesMusicalsTragedies

What is a Drama?One of the major

forms of literatureIntended to be

performed on stage in front of an audience

It includes stage directions and dialogue between characters

Drama begins with a script-the written form of the play

STAGE DIRECTIONSInstructions for the director, actors, and

stage crewSet apart in the script using (parentheses)

and ItalicsDescribe the scenery (items on stage that

create setting) and what the props are (objects the actors use)

DIALOGUEConversation between characters

One of the most important things about a drama/play is that it uses dialogue.

During the play, the dialogue tells us about the plot and characters’ personalities.

We know who the speaker is because the name of the speaker is bolded in front of what the speaker says.

What’s a Trial?We will see a brief glimpse of this in To

Kill a MockingbirdThere are several parts to a trial.

Jury SelectionOpening statementsProsecution’s case (“good guy”)Defense’s case (the defendant “bad guy”)Closing statementsJury instructions Jury deliberation and verdict

Important terms to know:Burden of proof: the necessity of proof always

lies with the person who lays charges.Due process of law: the state must allow all of

the legal rights that are owed to a person under the law.

Presumption of innocence: the defendant is legally assumed to be innocent until he or she is proven guilty.

Circumstantial evidence: evidence used which may or may not be true.

Reasonable doubt: doubt of a person’s guilt based on evidence or reason.

Vocabulary

VocabularyAbstain: Refrain from an actionAntagonize: To provoke hostilityCoroner: Doctor who investigates causes of

death.Deliberate: Carefully think through.Drab: DullPetty Jury: A jury of twelve peopleRapport: RelationshipSubservient: Passive and obedient

VocabularyDialogue: Conversation between two or more

parties.Naïve: Someone who is inexperienced in the ways

of the world.Unanimous: The agreement of all.Hung Jury: A jury that cannot agree.Sadist: Someone who enjoys seeing other people

suffer.Reasonable doubt: Doubt based on evidence or

reason.Premeditated: Planned before an act is performed.Homicide: Murder.Bigot: Someone who is racist and discriminates

against people.

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

Ethics and Values

Suppose you knew that everyone around you was thinking one way; the opposite of how you were thinking.

Would you still stand up for what you believed, or would you go along with the crowd?

Suppose someone tells you that your best friend gossips about you behind your back.

Would you:Talk to your friendInvestigate the situation (i.e. consider the

source, go over the facts)Never talk to your best friend again

Is there ever a good enough reason to give someone the death penalty?

Suppose someone tells your mom they saw you smoking.

Your mom kicks you out of the house without even talking to you about it.

Fair? Unfair? Why? Why not?

Have you ever, even in jest, said, “I’m gonna kill you!”?

Now, suppose that person that you said that to turned up dead later that day (they had, indeed, been killed).

Is that reason enough to send you to jail for life?

Imagine a time that you have been really ticked off.

While you were mad: Did you listen to music? Did you watch a movie?

If so, can you remember the song or the title of the movie? Why or why not?

What is Justice?In your assigned small groups write down on

your sticky notes what you think justice means in general and what is means in relation to the criminal justice system.

Then place your sticky notes on the poster board at the front of the room.

We will discuss our thoughts!