Analysis of Characters in the Play Twelve Angry Men

Analysis of Characters in the play Twelve Angry Men
a. Juror 1 or the Foremen is the leader of all jurors, he handles and has authority to lead discussion or voting, but he is not overly smart and wise. He is an assistant high school football coach.

“ we’re behind seven—six, but we’re just strartin’ to move the ball, off tackle, y’know. Boom! Boom ! boy, I’ll never forget that. We had this kid Slattery . a real ox. I probably forgot to tell you – I’m assistant head football coach at the Andrew J. McCorkle High School. That’s in Queens.” (pg 78)

b. Juror 2 is meek and hesitant person, he always feel difficult to maintain his own opinion and always agree with another jurors’ opinion, sometimes he adopt the opinion of the last person to whom he has spoken, maybe because it’ was his first experience become juror in court. “ I mean, I’ve never been on a jury before” (pg 4)
c. Juror 3 is strong character; he is opinionated, forceful, and humorless. He wants everyone listen to his opinion and follow him, he also intolerant with other opinion. He appears to be stereotyping the youth of his time. The case of the boy's life actually resembles his own experience with his son. He is the owner of one company.

“it’s the kids, the way they are nowadays. Angry! Hostile! You cannot do a damn thing with them. Just the way they talk to you. Listen when I was his age I used to call my father “sir”. That’s right. Sir ! you ever here a boy call his father that anymore?” ( pg 23)

“really? I run a messenger service. “The Bck and Call Company.” The name’s by wife’s idea. I employ thirty-seven people…. Started with nothing. (pg 7)

d. Juror 4 is little bit rest person among all jurors, he speak calmly and well, he also wise person but in solving the case, he just concern to the fact of the case. He is a broker, his profession seems to find its way into his dealings with the trial

“ I don’t see any need to arguing like this. I think we ought to behave like a gentlemen. If we are going to discuss this case, let’s stuck to the fact. (pg 16)

“I am Broker” ( pg 7)
e. Juror 5 is serious juror, he is very serious to the case but he feels difficult to give his opinions or arguments in the beginning. He is sensitive person; he is extremely offended by the comments of juror 10 about people who grew up in his neighborhood. He suggests that not all people who grow up in the slum are bad, and that social status means nothing. He is the combatant to stereotypical thinking. He usually uses his personal knowledge and experience about slum when discuss about the case

“I’ve lived in a slum all my life… I nurse that trash in Harlem Hospital six nights a week” (pg 24) f. Juror 6 is respect person, he will listen and accept other opinion and dig it more and more if it is different with his opinion.

“ Hey! What’re you talking to him like that for? (pg 52)

“ A guy who talks like that old man oughta really get stepped on y’kow”(pg 52)

“ You oughta have some respect, mister. If you say stuff like that to him again, I am gonna lay you out.” (pg 53) Juror 6 is working man, naturally his profession makes him difficult to make decision or opinion because his boss always makes all decisions. Its influence the way he gives his vote when his turn comes up to explain why he voted guilty, he uses the ideas that the experts have given, because he relies on someone else to do it for him.

“I’m not used to supposing. I’m just a working man. My boss does the supposing. Nut I’ll try one. Suppose you talk us all outta this and the kid really did knife his father?” (pg 43)

g. Juror 7 he is unserious and flashy person. He never serious to face the case, he only thinks about his plan to watch baseball match rather than sit as a jury. He obviously does not take seriously what he is supposed to be doing there. This seems like a poor excuse for deciding someone's life so quickly.

“What’s the difference how long it takes? We honestly think he’s guilty. so suppose we finish in five minutes? So what?” (pg 14)

He is constantly frustrated by the discussion, and at one point changes his vote because he is sick of talking about it.

“Listen, I’ll tell you something. I’m a little sick of this whole thing alredy. All this yakkin’s gettin’ us nowhere so I’m going to break it up here. I’m changing my vote to not guilty.”(pg 96)

h. Juror 8 is quiet, thoughtful, and kind person. He always tries to know the truth and sees all side of every questions and arguments. He is wise and full of compassion; he is the man who wants fight for justice.

“ There were eleven votes for “guilty” It’s not easy for me to raise my and send a boy off to die without talking about it first” (pg 13)

“I’m not trying to change your mind. It’s just hat we’re talking about somebody’s e can’t decide in five minutes. Suppose we wrong?”(pg 13)

His job as an architect is apparent in the way in which he treats the case. He suggests that something just doesn't "fit”. He begins to examine every little piece one by one, instead of simply looking at the big picture. As he discredits each fact of the case, he gains more and more support.

“I’m an architect “(pg 41)

i. Juror 9 is an old man, because of his age he become the subject of ageism discrimination. Juror 9 is wise and open person. He will listen to other opinion and respect to other people, he gives good contribution in solving the case. He also helps juror 8 when he rallies for support.
“ This gentlemen has been standing alone against us. He doesn’t say that boy is not guilty. he just isn’t it sure. Well, It’s not easy to stand alone against the ridicule of others. He gambled for support and I gave it to him. I respect his motives. The boy on trial is probably guilty. but I want to hear more” (Rose page 40)

j. Juror 10 is bitter and angry man. He will not listen to other opinion to keep his opinion or argument. This character is the most stereotypical, discriminative, and also suggests ageism. He uses phrases like "they're all the same" and "you know how those people are"

“Brother, you can say that again. The kids who crawl outta those place are real trash. I don’t want any part of them. I’m telling you” (pg 24)

k. Juror 11 is humble person ; he is refugee from Europe who has suffered through so much injustice, so he will seek for justice. He speaks with an accent and he also stereotyped because of his occupation and his background, because it is said that all Europeans are good watchmakers. This juror is an example of altruism, feeling a sense of duty and respect for the justice system.

“ Pardon. This fighting. This is not why we are here, to fight. We have a responsibility. This, I have always thought, is a remarkable thing about democracy. That we are, uh, what is the word? Notified, that we are notified by mail to come down to this place and decide on guilt or innocence of a man we have never heard before. We have nothing to gain or loss by our verdict. This is one of reasons we are strong. We should not make it personal thing.” (pg 73-74)

l. Juror 12 he is inconsistent and confusion person, he always changes his mind without giving real reason, when he listens to one opinion or statement that logical for him he changes his decision again . Being a salesman means having to convince someone that they need something even when they sometimes don't. To do this, most salesmen simply tell people what they think they want to hear, whether it is true or not. “ Anyway, I was telling you,, in the agency, when a reach point like this meeting, there’s always some character ready with an idea. And it kilss me, I mean it’s the weirdest thing sometimes the way they precede the idea with some kind of phrase. Like,,,, oh, some account exec’ll say, “Here’s an idea. Let’s run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it, or “Put it on a bus and see if it gets off at Wall Street.” I mean, it’s idiotic, but it’s funny” (pg 41)