Reading 12AM – focus and essay questions
FOCUS QUESTIONS:
1. To what extent is its historical period relevant to a discussion of “Twelve Angry Men”?
2. What can we conclude about the 8th juror’s personality from pages 1-7 of the play?
3. We never learn the characters’ names. Why does Rose choose to identify the men only by
jury number and how does this affect the way we relate to the characters?
4. Read pages 7-15, how are we encouraged to sympathise with the 8th juror?
5. Read [pages 15-19, does 8th juror’s revelation about the second knife change your opinion at
this stage about the defendant’s guilt or innocence?
6. On page 31, the characters exit to the washroom. Why? How does this affect the scene?
7. At the end of Act 1, to what extent are the characters presented as being either “good” or
“bad” and to what extent are they complex and sometimes contradictory?
8. What changes are evident in 3rd and 10th juror’s speech and behaviour when they are in a
minority and not safe majority? Ref pages 47-50.
9. Read pg 50 of the play. Why does the 11th juror believe jury duty is such a “remarkable’
aspect of the democratic process? Consider his personal background in your response
10. In pages51-54, 10th juror’s prejudices are revealed. How does Rose relate prejudice to fear?
11. 12th juror is the only one to change his vote more than once. What does this tell you about
his character and how is he different to the others?
12. Why do you think 3rd juror finally change his vote?
13. How does Rose ensure that we judge 3rd juror’s stubbornness as a negative instead of a
positive character trait?
14. The relationship between 3rd and 8th jurors is the central one in the play. Identify other
important relationships between characters and discuss how they differ from this one.
15. Consider the play’s title. What might be the significance?
16. In what way does the 8th juror prove that democracy must be the responsibility of each and
every individual?
17. To what extent is the 3rd juror a sympathetic character?
18. To what extent is the 10th juror the most frightening character in the play? Why?
19. Is it reasonable doubt that leads to the “not guilty” verdict, simple logic or a combination of
both?
20. Does Rose suggest that there can be no such thing as a “fact,” or does he simply argue that it
is difficult to establish the truth of any given “fact?”
21. In his play, what view does Rose present of the ageing process? Consider not only the 9th
juror, but also the elderly witness and the female witness who was wearing “brand new
clothes that should have been worn by a younger woman.” (pg 69)
22. What point do you think the play may be attempting to make about leadership in a
democracy?
23. How does the play communicate the idea that democracy is an individual concept?
24. According to the play, what are some of the greatest dangers of allowing personal bias to go
unchecked?
25. Are the issues of civic duty and social responsibility explored in Rose’s play relevant in
contemporary Australian society?
26. In what ways are images of youth connected to the concept of powerlessness?
27. In what ways is the American justice system portrayed as weak and vulnerable?
28. Does the play privilege any one group of decision-making factors over the others, or suggest
that any particular variables are more valid than others?
Essay questions:
1. “12AM is best interpreted as an attack on the jury system.” Do you agree?
2. “Despite questioning the ultimate fairness and reliability of the jury system, 12AM is, at
heart, a tribute to this system.” Discuss.
3. “We have reasonable doubt and this is a safeguard that has enormous value in our system.”
To what extent is reasonable doubt alone shown as an effective safeguard?
4. “12AM asserts that justice is far more important than the truth.” Discuss.
5. “The jury’s deliberations are framed by representatives of judicial authority – the Judge’s
voice and the Guard.” How does this structural device impact on our understanding of the
play?
6. “The 8th juror’s greatest achievement comes not from reasoning and logic, but from his
ability to reach those who disagree with him.” Discuss.
7. “The 3rd juror is the most flawed, but also the most realistic of Rose’s characters.” Discuss.
8. “It is the dialogue in the play, rather than the setting which is the greatest source of
tension.” Do you agree?
9. “The 8th juror’s heroism lies in the individual courage and integrity he displays.” Discuss.
10. “12AM asserts that the jury system’s greatest flaw is its jurors.” Discuss.
11. “The relationship between the 3rd and 8th jurors is the most important element in 12AM.”
Discuss.
12. 3rd juror says that “everybody deserves a fair trial.” Does the defendant in this case get a fair
trial?
13. “12AM shows that personal experience is the strongest factor influencing human decisionmaking processes.” Discuss.
14. “In 12AM, the characteristics of gentleness and rationality are valued above all else.”
Discuss.
15. “8th juror has no character flaws, just as 3rd juror has no redeeming features.” Discuss.
16. 10th juror says, “what you want to believe, you believe.” How does 12AM show that we
believe what we want to believe?
17. 12AM takes place in “real time.” How does Rose use this structure to strengthen his
examination of the judicial system?
18. “12AM is a play about the impossibility of certainty.” Discuss.
19. 10th juror is very passionate about the defendant’s guilt. How convincing is the moment
when he changes his mind?
20. 12Am presents the pessimistic opinion that all humans are fallible. Do you agree?