Twelve Angry Men
An Introduction
Twelve Angry Men
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Written by Reginald Rose
Inspired by Rose’s own experiences
on jury duty of a murder case in New
York City
Did not want to be involved, but
eventually was intrigued upon entry
into the courtroom
Moral and Ethical Emphasis
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Justice
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Fairness
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Respect
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Citizenship
Day One
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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.
Discussion
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What is a jury?
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How is it chosen?
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What responsibility does each individual have
to accept jury duty?
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How could past experience bias a jury
member?
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What if someone lied to get on a jury?
Act 1 Questions
1. What is reasonable doubt?
2. Describe the jury room, in detail.
3. What is the opinion of the majority of the
jurors toward the boy’s guilt?
4. Why does Juror 8 say, “I think maybe we
owe him a few words”?
Act 1 continued
5. What are the four main arguments for the
boy’s guilt?
6. Who is Juror 10 referring to when he says
“them”?
7. What type of father is Juror 3?
8. How has Juror 8 discredited the knife?
Act 2 Questions
1. Who has changed his vote? Why?
2. What is the problem with the el train?
3. Juror 3 asks why the old man would lie,
and Juror 9 says, “Attention, maybe.”
Explain his answer.
4. Juror 9 says, “I think I know him better
than anyone here.” Explain why he
feels this way.
Act 2 Questions continued
5. Juror 3 makes a major blunder when he says,
“He’s an old man. You saw him. Half the time
he was confused. How could he be positive
about anything?” Explain why this is a big
mistake.
6. What is the new evidence brought forth about
the old man and the factor of time?
7. Juror 3 makes a blunder when he yells, “Let
me go! I’ll kill him!” Explain how these words
were discussed previously and how they could
be used to help the young boy accused of
murder.
Act 3 Questions
1. How are the jurors getting along?
2. How does Juror 11 feel about jury
duty?
3. What happens during the revote?
Act 3 Questions continued
4. What is revealed about how a person
stabs someone with a switchblade?
5. What is discovered about the lady with
the eyeglasses?
6. Who is the last juror to vote “not
guilty”?