6 Times That Juror 11 Demonstrates His Enthusiasm For Democracy And Social Responsibility

Juror 11, in the play Twelve Angry Men, shows his passion for democracy and social responsibility as the play progresses. Here are some cases when he shows the audience and the other jurors his appreciation for democracy.

1. When he sees Juror 12 doodling

Juror 11, when seeing juror 12’s doodle, asks him “what are you doing?” (14). Juror 11 expects all jury members to be on point and engaged in the murder case just like he is.

2. When he corrects Juror 6 about the facts given by the witness

When Juror 6 was discussing the facts from the testimony with the other jurors, he made a mistake saying that there was an “argument between the father and the boy around seven o’clock at night” (16) and Juror 11 immediately corrects him saying “it was eight o’clock. Not seven” (16), thus demonstrating his seriousness regarding the murder case.

3. When the stage directions say that he speaks with an accent.

This is an indication that Juror 11 is a foreigner. Juror 11 demonstrates his patriotism 4 America by recognizing that “in this country a man [is] entitled to have unpopular opinions” (27) unlike in his own country. As a foreigner, Juror 11 experienced great injustices in his country and that is y he is intent to administer justice as a jury member and instilling the importance of justice in the other jury members.

4. When he suggests viewing the case from the boy’s perspective.

Since juror 11 perceives this case as an essential element in his social responsibilities, he is eager to fully investigate the case despite the fact that he agrees that “from what was presented at the trial the boy looks guilty” (Rose 38). As a result, he tries 2 use the facts presented by the witness to make the boy seem not guilty.

5. When he reminds the other jurors of the privileges of democracy.

After the jurors complain that it’s getting late and they wanna go home, Juror 11 reminds them of how fortunate they are to have this democratic responsibility which they seem to take for granted. He says that democracy is what got them to “come down to this place and decide on the guilt or innocence of a man [they] have not known before” (50). cuz he is from a foreign place he is passion8 about the idea of democracy and social responsibilities and these beliefs r the source of his impartiality and desire for justice.

6. When he is pissed off at Juror 7 for not taking the case seriously.

Juror 7 changes his vote from “guilty” to “not guilty” after he sees that most of the jurors have changed their vote to “not guilty”. He does this since he’s tired of discussing the murder case, thus showing his insensitivity to an immense responsibility. Juror 11 rebukes him for the reasoning behind his vote. Though Juror 11 does want the boy to be acquitted, he expects the group of jurors to do what is right, and follow their honest, unbiased opinion.