Themes and Quotes from the Play

Front

Rule of Law - Fair Trial

Back

Everybody deserves a fair trial. Discussed at the beginning of act 1, page 14.

Front

Guard's Responsibility

Back

Guard: 'I don't envy you your job. You are faced with a grave responsibility.' (Page 14, Act 1)

Front

Jury's Impartiality

Back

#11: 'We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict. This is one of the reasons we are strong. We should not make it a personal thing.' (Page 12, Act 1)

Front

Fragility of Justice - Juror 7's Indifference

Back

#7: 'This better be fast. I got tickets to a ball game tonight.' Shows how little the juror cares about justice. (Page 17, Act 1)

Front

Juror 7's Doubt

Back

#7: 'Suppose we’re wrong! Suppose this whole building fell on my head. You can suppose anything.' Discusses the difficulty in deciding right and wrong. (Page 22, Act 1)

Front

Juror 8's Admission

Back

#8: 'That’s right. I broke the law.' Reflects on someone judging another who allegedly broke the law. (Page 37, Act 1)

Front

Juror 9's Concern

Back

#9: 'It's only one night. A boy may die.' (Page 40, Act 1)

Front

Juror 11's Critique

Back

#11: 'You have sat here and voted guilty with everyone else because there are some baseball tickets burning a hole in your pocket.' (Page 96, Act 2)

Front

Importance of Civic Duty - Juror 8's Seriousness

Back

#8: 'Nothing. I just want to talk.' Shows he takes his vote seriously. (Page 21, Act 1)

Front

Juror 7's Neglect of Civic Duty

Back

#7: 'This better be fast. I got tickets to a ball game tonight.' (Page 17, Act 1)