Reading & Creating Texts – Unit 1
By Reginald Rose
JUSTICE AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM Twelve Angry Men highlights not only the strengths of the American justice system, but also its fragility. All of the jurors have taken an oath to listen carefully to the evidence presented in court and to deliver the defendant a fair and considered verdict that has been reached unanimously. This means all twelve jurors agreeing whether or not 'reasonable doubt' exists. If it does not exist, the defendant is guilty — and faces the death penalty. If the jury finds there is reasonable doubt, the defendant is to be deemed innocent. On the surface, this seems an easy task. However, the jury system also brings together twelve men from different walks of life who are suddenly expected to spend several days listening to the trial and are then placed in a room together to consider their verdict. This is where the notion of justice is essential; all members of the jury need to be united in their desire for a fair result. Some of the jurors in the play have to learn that no one needs to prove the defendant innocent; the burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove he is guilty. The playwright, however, also highlights some ironies of the justice system. There are certain personalities who shape the course of deliberations and queries are raised about the 'twisting of the facts'. Plenty of persuasion and manipulation goes on as the jurors try to guess the truth of witness testimonies. As Juror 5 reminds them, witnesses can make mistakes. The audience sees how certain individuals have the potential to undermine the search for justice, whilst others do all they can to ensure justice is achieved. • Juror 8 is the epitome of a fair and conscientious juror who is prepared to stand alone in order to see a just verdict delivered. • Juror 8 also is able to acknowledge that the real truth may never be known, but he would rather, if there was any doubt, see a guilty man live rather than an innocent man die. • Juror 8's calm, reasoned delivery of facts and his ability to refute some of the evidence means that other jurors start to realise that a fair verdict means letting go of their preconceived notions and prejudices about the defendant and his background. As he says: 'No one can really know. But we have a reasonable doubt, and this is a safeguard that has enormous value in our system', (p.66) • Jurors 9 and 11 are crucial in supporting Juror 8's quest for justice. • Juror 4 eventually realises that justice must prevail when he starts to have doubts about some of the witness testimony: 'I now have a reasonable doubt'. (p.71) • Juror 3 finds it impossible to administer justice fairly as he is so bound up in his personal angst about his relationship with his son: 'You come in here with your sanctimonious talk about slum kids and injustice...', (p.47) • Juror 2, who changes his vote quite late in the play, tells Juror 3: 'You can't send someone off to die on evidence like that', (p.71)
VCE ENGLISH UNIT 1&2
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