Jurors
What does Juror 8 do to challenge the uniqueness of the murder weapon?
He produces an identical switchblade knife
What reenactment does Juror 8 perform to challenge the old man’s testimony about the timing?
Walking slowly to the door to show it’s unlikely he heard the defendant running
How does the oppressive heat in the jury room serve as a metaphor for the jury’s tense atmosphere in 12 Angry Men?
The heat symbolizes rising tempers, pressure, and the intensity of the conflict among jurors.
Who is the defendant accused of killing?
His father
What juror "stands alone" at the beginning by being the only juror to vote not guilty in the first vote?
Juror 8
Which piece of evidence does Juror 8 question by asking the jurors to imagine the defendant’s height and the time of the murder?
The eyewitness testimony and the timeline
What causes Juror 3 to finally change his vote?
Realizing his personal issues are clouding his judgment.
What does the single, plain jury room symbolize about the nature of justice in the play?
It symbolizes the idea that justice should be straightforward and unbiased, stripped of outside distractions and focused solely on truth.
What is an "el" train?
An elevated train.
What juror is the last one to "stand alone" by being the last to vote not guilty at the end of the play?
Juror 3
How does Juror 8 react when the other jurors question why he voted “not guilty”?
He says he wants to discuss the case more carefully, as he cannot send a boy to his death without a discussion.
What is the woman's testimony from across the street?
She said they she saw the boy kill the father through the passing of the el-train and the through the windows.
What does the act of voting symbolize in the context of the play?
(3 part answer)
It symbolizes the democratic process, individual responsibility, and the moral courage required to stand by one’s convictions.
Define Archetypes
Archetypes represent typical examples of certain roles or ideas—like the hero, the mentor, the villain, or the innocent. These ideals resonate with human experiences and emotions.
For example, the “hero” archetype is a character who embarks on a journey or quest and overcomes challenges, while the “villain” archetype opposes the hero and creates conflict.
What juror is anxious to leave the discussion because he has tickets to a baseball game?
Juror 7
What is the boy's testimony about the knife?
He purchased it, then it fell out of his pocket on the way home.
What was proven about the old man's testimony that made the jurors know the old man lied in court.
The old man would not of been able to hear the boy yell when the train was passing. He was too slow to walk to the front door to see the boy running away.
What might Juror 8’s glasses symbolize in the play?
They symbolize insight, clarity, and the ability to see things differently or more clearly than others.
What are two details of the jury room setting?
Hot, unpleasant, blank walls, long tables, twelve chairs, a bathroom, waterfountain, etc.
In 12 Angry Men, which jurors are mostly voiceless or overlooked at the start, but over time they gains their voices?
Juror 9:
Starts as a quiet, elderly man, often overlooked by others.
Gains confidence as he supports Juror 8’s doubts and shares key insights about the old man witness, helping sway opinions.
Juror 5:
Initially shy and intimidated, especially by louder jurors.
Eventually speaks up to share his personal knowledge about life in a slum, challenging stereotypes about the defendant.
Juror 11:
A naturalized citizen who respects the justice system deeply.
Though soft-spoken, he consistently contributes thoughtful legal reasoning, gaining respect from others.
In Act 1, how does Juror 10’s attitude toward the defendant reveal his personal biases, and how does this affect the group dynamics during deliberation?
Juror 10 expresses overt prejudice and racial bias against the defendant’s background, which isolates him from the others and highlights how personal prejudice can cloud judgment and disrupt fair deliberation.
Why did the old man lie in court?
He wants to feel important or like he matters to the world.
In 12 Angry Men, the Chrysler Building is mentioned by Juror 8 during deliberations. What does the Chrysler Building symbolize in the context of the play?
It symbolizes the larger world outside the jury room—a symbol of progress, modernity, and the society that justice serves
How does 12 Angry Men give voice to the underprivileged?
12 Angry Men gives voice to the underprivileged by highlighting how societal biases and prejudices can influence judgments in the justice system. The play focuses on a young defendant from a poor, disadvantaged background, showing how his social status affects how some jurors perceive him—often unfairly. Through the deliberations, the play exposes issues like poverty, prejudice, and stereotyping, encouraging the audience to question assumptions about guilt based on a person’s background rather than evidence. Juror 8’s insistence on fairness and reasonable doubt advocates for the rights of those marginalized by society, emphasizing the importance of justice being truly impartial.