One of the strengths of twelve angry men' Is rose's ability to create a diverse case of characters with very different values and interests. Do you agree? Set In 1950's America, Reginald Rose's play, Twelve Angry Men, revolves around twelve men summoned to decide the fate of a young man's life. Taking place in a New York courtroom, it follows the deliberations of the Jurors as they attempt to make a unanimous verdict as to whether or not a sixteen year old Is In fact guilty of murdering his father.Throughout the play, rose demonstrates the prejudice that bstructs the course of Justice, and the diversity in beliefs and principals that separate Jurors from each other.
Together the jurors represent the microcosm that Is American Society. For the duration of the text, each Juror Is only Identified by a num
...ber with no evidence to suggest that they even know each other's' names. The jury however, is a cross-section of American society as it comprises of educated, old, working-class, business and even Immigrant men. This Is Intended by the play as the value of each juror is as a social representation, not as individuals.The 8th Juror represents possible strengths of the Jury system as an aspect of the legal system. This is demonstrated by his confldence and the fact that he does not fear the Idea of 'stand alone' against a potentially unanimous 'guilty' verdict, as he eventually encourages other Jurors that a young man's life' is worth some discussion.
Thus, through the role of the Jury, Rose asserts that ordinary people ensure an effective Justice system. It Is evident that he ultimately focuses on the value
of a Jury to the system, rather than heir verdict alone.In contrast, the play also highlights potential flaws in the Jury system, where prejudice obstructs the pursuit of Justice. This is supported by the 3rd Juror's reluctance to change his Initial 'guilty verdict and the manner In which he characterises, 'kids...
nowadays. Angry! Hostile! '. This view is held because the 3rd Juror's sees that his strained relationship with his son is mirrored in the relationship between the defendant and his father He wishes to punish the young boy for the ain his own son has inflicted upon him.He 'personally wants it, not because of the facts'. This motivation consequently impacts his ability to make a rational, emotionally detached decision.
Rose further conveys to the audience that Irrational prejudice and justice is not compatible through the bigoted generalisations made regarding the defendant. Early on it is established that the youth on trial is from the slums. His low socio-economic background Is classed as 'breeding grounds for criminals' who are 'menaces to society.Many of the Jurors make such assumptions in deciding the boy's guilt or innocence rather than the merits of case.
Such prejudice therefore has the power to change the very systems meant to be secure to such concerns. Hence, by exploring a possible weakness of the legal system, Rose demonstrates that the underlying theme of the play Is whether legal system effectively delivers Justice, not It is in the court-room drama, Twelve Angry Men, Reginald Rose conveys the image that Justice within the legal system is of greater concern than the truth.This is emonstrated by the ordinary citizens who are responsible for making a
unanimous verdict, Rose emphasises the need for reason, rationality and impartial decisions in the pursuit of Justice. Also how different people bring their own fundamentals to the jury room. The play is concluded without ever informing the audience whether the defendant is guilty or innocent indicating that the truth about the events in question will never be revealed. More pointedly, they are of little consequence.
In the words of a Juror, 'everybody deserves a fair trial'.
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