

Pick up the Act II quiz as you walk in
On the back, number 1-4
◦ 1. Write down a two or three word description
of one of the characters in the play based on
what you remember from Act I
◦ 2. Write down the juror’s name
◦ 3. Write down what you think motivates that
character (money, power, greed, love, hate,
compassion, etc.)
◦ 4. Article of the Week: Why do you think the
Gettysburg address is still important today?

If you are not a reader today, take the
quiz on the front as we read
Bell Ringer
Characterization
Who is this character anyway?
Characters and Characterization
A character is a person, animal, or thing in
a work of literature.
Characterization is the process of creating
a character including: words, actions,
thoughts, appearance, other peoples’
thoughts and perceptions about the
character.
It is our job to figure out what the
character is like.
Motivation
Motivation is the reason characters
behave in a certain way.
If a character brings his
girlfriend flowers, what could
be his motivation?

Why do the jurors in 12 Angry Men act
the way that they do? What is their
motivation?
◦ Turn and discuss
12 Angry Men Character
Motivation
Character Description
How do authors tell us about characters?
Appearances
can sometimes
deceive, but
they’re often
your first clue
to a character.
Appearance
The writer could
tell you, “The
boy was happy,”
but if you see
the boy in
action, you’ll
know for
yourself.
Action
Listen to a
character talk,
and she will tell
you what she’s
like—indirectly.
Speech
In some books,
you can actually
read what
people are
thinking, and
what they think
shows you who
they are.
Thoughts and Feelings
What do other
people in the
story think about
the character?
Make sure, like in
real life, you
consider the
source.
Other Characters’ Reactions

Robert Newton Peck created the memorable character of Janice Riker in Soup. Read
his character sketch that follows:
Sooner or later I could always work free when Soup rode off to “rustle more
cattle” and before he “returned to the hideout.” But there was another kid who lived
near us who was the meanest, blood thirstiest redskin that ever held anybody
captive. And her name was Janice Riker. She was the biggest and strongest and
meanest kid that the world ever knew. She had the body of a hunched back,
bowlegged ape and the brain power of a fully ripened bean.
Janice was a twelve-year old giant at the time when most of us were nine or
ten. At school, she was a year behind me and two years behind Soup. Miss Kelly
was rarely impressed with her sums or her spelling. But as a mistress of torture,
Janice was a real prodigy. When Janice Riker tied you to a tree, you knew you were
tied for sure. Your hands went purple in ten seconds. Her knots were braided
triumphs that took more rope than the loops around your body. And the one thing
you’d have to say for Janice, she never forgot to put rope around your neck. Tight.
When the knots were all secure, Janice produced the dirtiest hanky in town,
which was used as a blindfold if you were lucky; and if you were unlucky, as a gag.
But seeing as Janice was such a perfectionist, she was usually willing to make a
minor sacrifice for her torturous art. She’d kick off a shoe and use one of her smelly
old stockings. Janice Riker sure had style.
Janice
Observe:
1. Do you learn more about Janice through
her thoughts, words, or deeds?
2. Do you learn anything about her through
what others say or by how others react to
her?
3. What adjectives are used to describe her
appearance?
4. What do you think is Janice’s motivation
or acting this way? Why?
Questions
Foils in Literature


In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with
another character (usually the protagonist) in
order to highlight particular qualities of the other
character.
A foil usually either differs drastically or is
extremely similar but with a key difference
setting them apart.
Foil Definition
In the Harry Potter series, Draco Malfoy can be seen as
a foil to the Harry Potter character; Professor Snape
enables both characters "to experience the essential
adventures of self-determination" but they make
different choices.
 In the popular book series, Harry Potter, the character of
Hogwarts principal Albus Dumbledore, who portrays
‘good’, is constantly shown to believe in the power of
true love (of all forms and types) and is portrayed as a
strong, benevolent and positive character while the
antagonist Lord Voldemort, who depicts the evil and
‘bad’ in the series is constantly shown to mock and
disbelieve the sentiment of love and think of it as a
foolish indulgence, a trait that is finally his undoing.

Examples of Foils
Who is the foil of the foreman?
 Who is the foil of juror eight?
 Turn and discuss

Foils in 12 Angry Men