Twelve Angry Men

Twelve Angry Men

• Genre: Fiction; Courtroom Drama; Legal Drama
• Originally Published: 1954 (as a teleplay); 1955 (stage play)
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 9-12; College/Adult
• Structure/Length: Divided into 2 acts; approximately 96 pages; approximately 1 hour 50 minutes of running time
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The drama focuses on 12 jurors who deliberate the guilt or acquittal of a defendant based on reasonable doubt. The central conflict arises as the jurors’ personal backgrounds, biases, and perceptions influence their interpretation of the evidence. The intense discussions and conflicts among them are particularly led by the 8th Juror, who advocates for careful consideration of the reasonable doubt regarding the defendant’s guilt.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of justice and prejudice; discussions of homicide; intense emotional and psychological stress

Reginald Rose, Author

• Bio: Born 1920; died 2002; American writer; primarily known for his work in television in the 1950s; his experience on jury duty inspired him to write Twelve Angry Men, initially a teleplay before being adapted for the stage and film; explored themes of justice, morality, and the complexities of human nature in his work
• Other Works: Studio One (contributor, 1948-1958); Crime in the Streets (1956); The Miracle Worker (1957, television screenplay); The Defenders (TV series, 1961-1965)
• Awards: Emmy Award for Twelve Angry Men (1954)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Father and Son Familial Dynamics
• The Dangers of Racial and Class Prejudice
• The Myth of the American Dream

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the social and historical contexts around the American jury system that incites the author’s central concern.
• Discuss the deeper meaning of the text through prompts and activities that connect to or address the text’s themes of Father and Son Familial Dynamics, The Dangers of Racial and Class Prejudice, and The Myth of the American Dream.
• Rehearse and perform a scene that demonstrates an understanding of dramatic literature based on text details.
• Examine and appraise the plot and character details to draw conclusions in structured essay responses regarding the outcome of the jury’s decision, the workings of the American jury system, and other topics.