Twelve
Angry Men (Part I)
Reginald Rose
I.
Pre-class Activities:
What
do you know about
Do
you know that language can have power as well? Can you feel the power of
language in the text? In what way is language powerful? Give some examples.
What
do you think is the main theme of the play?
Try
to work out a list of words or expressions used in a criminal court.
II.
Introduction to the Text:
1.
About the author
Reginald
Rose(1920- ) is one of the leading writers from television's “Golden Age” in
the 1950s, who was best known for the movie “Twelve Angry Men”. Rose died of complications from heart
failure at age
Rose
won an Emmy Award in 1954 for writing the Studio One television version of
"Twelve Angry Men", in which one juror painstakingly sways the 11
others debating the fate of a Puerto Rican youth charged with killing his
father. Rose received an Academy Award nomination for the screenplay of the
1957 film version, which starred Henry Fonda, who co-produced the movie with
Rose. The film, which also featured Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley Sr., E.G. Marshall,
Jack Klugman, Jack Warden and Martin Balsam, was directed by Sidney Lumet and
was also nominated for best picture that year. Rose, a native New Yorker whose
work was distinguished by his focus on social and political issues, won three Emmy
Awards and was nominated for six.
2.
Theme
"Twelve Angry Men" is about one
individual's ability to stand up for what he believes, even when others
ridicule him. It is also a powerful study not just of the criminal justice
system, but also of the diversity of human experience, the nature of peer
pressure, and the difficulty of ever fully knowing the truth.
III.
Detailed Study of the Text:
Plot: A young delinquent awaits sentencing for the
manslaughter of his aggressive father. One juror feels there is a reasonable
doubt—to the frustration of his eleven colleagues—thus preventing a
quick
verdict. During the heated deliberations, the hidden preconceptions and
prejudices of the jurors are revealed.
Setting: jury room
Protagonists: 12 jurors
Word Study
abstain
abstain from
(wine, smoking)戒[酒, 烟]
abstain from
telling a lie不说谎
I abstained from
voting.我弃权不投票。
alleged
the alleged
murderer 嫌疑杀人犯
the alleged
statement 宣称(声明)
argument
argument dispute controversy
These nouns denote
discussion involving conflicting points of view.
Argument stresses the advancement by each side of
facts and reasons buttressing its contention and intended to persuade the other
side:
Emotions are
seldom swayed by argument.
Dispute stresses division of opinion by its
implication of contradictory points of view and often implies animosity:
A dispute arose
among union members about the terms of the new contract.
Controversy is especially applicable to major
differences of opinion involving large groups of people rather than
individuals:
The use of nuclear
power is the subject of widespread controversy.
It is beyond
argument that.....是无可争辩的, 不容争辩的是...
be engaged in an
argument with sb.与某人发生一场争论
drive an argument
home drive a point home 把论点讲透彻, 阐明观点
get into an
argument with与...发生争论
fall into an
argument with与...发生争论
knock-down
argument使人无法反驳的论据; 压倒性的理由
put forward an
argument提出论点
ram an argument
home反复说明论点使对方接受
stock argument常见的论点, 老一套的论点
argumentation
n.论据
argumentative
Given to arguing;
disputatious.易争论的；爱争论的
or characterized
by argument:论证的
an argumentative
discourse.论证体论述
assume vt.
assume this to be
true假定这是真的
assume that假定
assume office就职
assume the reins
of government执政, 开始掌权
assume a leading
position担任领导职务
assume
responsibility负责, 承担责任
assume a new
aspect呈现新的面貌
assume airs of摆...架子
assume great airs神气活现, 装作要人的模样, 摆架子
assume a new name用新名字, 用化名
assume the calotte出家, 当僧侣
The motion of
matter always assumes certain forms.物质的运动总是表现为一定的形式。
He's not such a
fool as you assumed him to be.他并非你所以为的那样愚蠢。
ballot
n.vi.
秘密投票[制]
cast[take] a
ballot投票
vote by ballot投票表决
There was a large
ballot.
breeding
n.
a person of fine
breeding有良好教养的人
a person of noble
breeding.一个贵族血统的人
close breeding近亲繁殖
cross breeding杂交育种
live-stock
breeding养畜(业)
burden
He could not carry
the burden alone.他一人挑不起这副担子。
the burden of the
story小说的主题
vt.
A donkey can carry
a heavy burden.驴子能负重载。
Too much praise is
a burden.太多的赞扬是一种负担。
A burden of one's
own choice is not felt.
bear the burden
and heat of the day吃苦耐劳;完成责任
lay down life's
burden
the burden of
proof
the white man's
burden“白人的使命” (帝国主义分子向外扩张时, 借口对有色民族的责任)
burden with
body burden体重
charge
n.
a charge for the
use of the telephone使用电话的费用
The charge for a
front-row seat is $3.前排座位票价每张三美元。
a charge of
stealing偷窃罪的指控
The charge carries
a possible sentence of three years.这项控告可能要判三年徒刑。
一次发射的弹药
电荷
charge
v.
*To impose a duty,
responsibility, or obligation on:：
charged him with
the task of watching the young swimmers.
*To set or ask (a
given amount) as a price:
charges ten
dollars for a haircut.
*To hold
financially liable; demand payment from:
charged her for
the balance due.
*To postpone
payment on (a purchase) by recording as a debt: 赊购记帐以推迟对（购买）的付款：
paid cash for the
stockings but charged the new coat.
*To load to
capacity; fill:
charge a furnace
with coal.
*To saturate;
impregnate:
The atmosphere was
charged with tension
*To load (a gun or
other firearm) with a quantity of explosive:
charged the musket
with powder.往枪里装入火药
*To instruct or
urge authoritatively; command:
charged her not to
reveal the source of information.指示她不许泄露消息来源
Law
*To instruct (a
jury) about the law, its application, and the weighing of evidence.
*To make a claim
of wrongdoing against; accuse or blame:
*To put the blame
for; attribute or impute:归咎于
charged the
accident to the driver's inexperience.将事故原因归结于驾驶员缺少经验
*To attack
violently:
The troops charged
the enemy line.军队猛攻敌人阵线
customary
adj.
It is customary to
give people gifts on their birthday.送生日礼物是一种社会风气。
customary in trade商业上通行的
It is customary
with me to do so.这样做是我的习惯。
Customary n.惯例书, 礼法书
diverge
vi.
Our opinions
diverge.我们意见不同。
I'm afraid our
opinions diverge from each other on the direction of investment.恐怕我们在投资方向上的见解不同。
elevated
adj.
*Raised especially
above the ground:
an elevated
platform.
*Increased in
amount or degree: 升高的数量或程度上的增加：
an elevated temperature.
*Morally or
intellectually superior.
*Formal; lofty:
an elevated prose
style.高尚的散文风格
*Elated in feeling
or mood; high-spirited.
n.
An elevated
railway.高架铁路
elevated-temperature n.高温
filthy
adj.
a filthy street一条肮脏的街道
a filthy smile奸笑
They are filthy
with money. 他们有的是钱。
Flick
vt.
（常与away, off连用）轻打；轻弹；轻拂
She flicked the
dust away from her shoes with a handkerchief.她用手帕拍去鞋上的灰尘。
He hit the ball
with just a flick of the wrist."他只用手腕轻轻一抖,打出了那个球。"
轻快地移动
The cow flicked
the flies away with its tail.那头牛轻摆尾巴把苍蝇赶走。
to flick the
switch 轻轻地按开关
flimsy
adj.
*Light, thin, and
insubstantial:
a flimsy fabric.
*Lacking solidity
or strength:
a flimsy table.
*Lacking
plausibility; unconvincing:
a flimsy excuse.站不住脚的借口
forgery
n.
He was sent to
prison for forgery.他因伪造证件被关进监狱。
This letter is a
forgery!这封信是伪造品。
get at
得到, [俚]挖苦, 嘲弄; 取笑; 攻击; 欺骗
handy
adj.
*Skillful in using
one's hands; manually adroit.
*Readily
accessible:
found a handy spot
for the can opener.为开罐头的人找到了一个现成的开启点
*Useful;
convenient:
a handy gadget.
Easy to use or
handle:
a handy reference
book.
lay out
布置；安排, 设计（建筑等）
preach
v.
*To proclaim or
put forth in a sermon:
preached the
gospel.传福音
*To advocate,
especially to urge acceptance of or compliance with:
preached tolerance
and peaceful coexistence.宣扬容忍及和平共处
*To deliver (a
sermon).
*To deliver a
sermon.讲道
*To give religious
or moral instruction, especially in a tedious manner.
proposition
n.
*A plan suggested
for acceptance; a proposal.
*A matter to be
dealt with; a task:
Finding an
affordable apartment will be a difficult proposition.要找到一间付得起的公寓是件难事
Informal
*An offer of a
private bargain, especially a request for sexual relations.
a proposition in
geometry几何学上待证的定理
This is not
money-making proposition.这不是个赚钱的事业。
a tough
proposition[口]难处理的事[人], 一件棘手的事
false proposition假命题
Pythagorean
proposition勾股定理
prosecution
n.
起诉；诉讼, 原告；控方；控告人
The prosecution is
/ are coming into court.
A famous lawyer
has been asked to appear for the prosecution.
These scholars
went abroad for the prosecution of their studies.
这些学者出国进行研究。
Provoke
vt.
（常与to连用）激怒；使恼火
Mind you. That dog
is very dangerous when provoked.当心,那条狗被激怒时是很危险的。
He claimed that it
was her rudeness that provoked him to strike her.他声称是她的无礼惹得他打了她。
provoke a riot煽动骚乱
provoke sb. to
anger激怒某人
provoke sb.'s
interest引起某人兴趣
refute
vt.
I refuted him
easily.我很容易就驳倒了他。
refute testimony.驳倒证词
To deny the
accuracy or truth of:
refuted the
results of the poll.不承认选举结果的真实性
seek
（常与for, after连用）搜寻，寻找，寻觅
We sought an
answer to the question, but couldn't find one.
They are seeking
the most reasonable diet which will do good to their health.
After seeking out
the rude assistant she asked for the same dress.
I will seek my
doctor's advice.我将请教医生的意见。
He sought to make
peace.
Water seeks its
own level.水往低处流。
swear
I swear I won't
tell anyone your secret.
力言；敢说,（常与to, that连用）使宣誓，使立誓
to swear a person
to secrecy使某人发誓保守秘密
宣誓，立誓
sworn evidence发誓后提出的证据
（常与at连用）诅咒；骂
He was so angry
that he swore at his mother.
（与by连用）深信；推荐
to swear by
quinine for curing influenza
testimony
n.
bear testimony证明; 作证人
bear testimony
against抗议
bear testimony to为...作证
call sb. in
testimony传某人作证
produce testimony
to [of]提出...的证据
upright
adj.
Being in a
vertical position or direction:
an upright post.
Erect in posture
or carriage:
Adhering strictly
to moral principles; righteous
verdict
n.
Law
*The finding of a
jury in a trial. 裁定审判中陪审团的裁决
An expressed
conclusion; a judgment or an opinion: 定论；判断性意见已表达的结论；判断或意见：
the verdict of
history.历史的定论
a verdict for the
plaintiff有利于原告的裁决
an open verdict死因未详的裁决
a partial verdict部分有罪裁决
a privy [sealed]
verdict密封裁决书(陪审员在法官休庭后, 交给法院的初步裁决)
a special verdict特别裁决(陪审团只提供已证明的事实, 交由法庭进行判决)
a popular verdict公众意见
reverse the
verdict翻案
vote
n.
*The number of
votes cast in an election or to resolve an issue:
a heavy vote in favor
of the bill.赞成议案的压倒多数
*A group of voters
alike in some way:
the Black vote;
the rural vote.黑人选票；农村选票
*The act or
process of voting:
took a vote on the
issue.在这个问题上采取投票
*The result of an
election or a referendum.
vi.
*To express one's
preference for a candidate or for a proposed resolution of an issue; cast a
vote:
voted yes on the
motion; voting against the measure.对这项运动上投赞同票；投票反对提案
*To express a
choice or an opinion.
v.tr.
*To express one's
preference for by vote:
voted the straight
Republican ticket.
*To decide the
disposition of by vote, as by electing or defeating:
vote in a new
mayor;；
voted out their
representative
vote down the
amendment.
*To bring into
existence or make available by vote:
vote new funds for
a program.
*To be guided by
in voting:
vote one's
conscience.
*To declare or
pronounce by general consent:
voted the play a
success.
Phrases
owe sb.
sth.
to feel that you should do something for someone or give someone
something, because they have done something for you or given something to you
Examples:
I owe my brother $50.
He asked for help from a colleague who owed him a favour.
I owe Susan a letter; I must write soon.
You owe him an apology.
“I owe my parents a lot,” he admitted.
Their success owes more to good luck than to careful management.
be
supposed to do sth.
used to say what someone should or should not do, especially because of
rules or what someone in authority has said
Examples:
We're supposed to check out of the hotel by 11 o'clock.
I'm not supposed to tell anyone.
No one was supposed to know about it.
The meeting was supposed to take place on Tuesday, but we've had to
postpone it.
mix up
to make the mistake of thinking that someone or something is another
person or thing
Examples:
I must have got the times mixed up.
I always mix him up with his brother. They look so much alike.
put into
words
to express
Examples:
It is hard to put into words how I feel now.
He’s not very musical, to put it mildly (=He's not musical at all).
We get on each other's nerves, to put it bluntly (=to say exactly what I
mean).
It's fairly risky. Or to put it another way (=say it in different words),
don't try this at home.
provoke
sb. into doing sth.
a. to make someone angry,
especially deliberately
b. to cause a reaction or feeling, especially a sudden one
Examples:
Paul tried to provoke them into fighting.
She hopes her editorial will provoke readers into thinking seriously
about the issue.
beat sb. up
to hurt someone badly by hitting them
Example:
Her boyfriend got drunk and beat her up.
Cf.: beat oneself up
beat yourself up
(American English, informal) to blame yourself too much for something
If you do your best and you lose, you can't beat yourself up about it.
conduct cross-examination
We are conducting a survey/investigation/review of consumer attitudes
towards organic food. 从事调查, 进行审阅
Is it really necessary to conduct experiments/tests on animals? 做实验
They conducted a campaign of bombings and assassinations. 进行，从事运动
The interview was conducted in English. The memorial service was conducted
by the Rev. David Prior. 举行，引导
It was the first time that I had conducted business in
call for
a. if a group of people calls for something, they ask publicly for
something to be done
b. to need or deserve a particular type of behaviour or treatment
c. to meet someone at their home in order to take them somewhere
Examples:
Human Rights groups are calling for the release of political prisoners.
Dealing with children who are so damaged calls for immense tact and
sensitivity.
take it out
to discuss a problem thoroughly in order to solve it
Examples:
We need to spend a little time talking this out.
It might help if you talked it out with Dad.
Cf.:
talk somebody out of (doing) something 说服某人不做……
Can't you talk them out of selling the house?
Paraphrase
n
“I think it’s customary to take a preliminary vote.”
I think it is a common practice (
or our custom) to take a vote first just to find out where we are before we
start our discussion.”
n “We owe him a few words”
The society has not treated
the boy very well. Therefore we should at least talk a little bit before we
send him to the chair. The boy has a right to that. We should do it for him.
n
“Since when is dishonesty a group characteristic?”
I’m surprised to hear you
say that as if dishonesty has ever a group characteristic.”
Some individuals are dishonest. They
might be rich or poor. It has nothing to do with the social group they belong
to.
n
“I’m just as sentimental as the next fellow.”
I’m just as tender-hearted
as the other people. I’m not callous or unfeeling.
No.3 is being
sarcastic by using the word “sentimental” because he considers himself a
tough-minded man who will not allow feelings to interfere with his judgment
like old women.
IV.
Extension:
Based on the play, what statements are facts and
what are opinions? What statements are the stereotyped thinking? What
prejudices or bias are revealed?
Why do
you think the author gives “Twelve Angry Men” as the title of the play? Why are
these people so angry? Do you agree that strong emotions can often affect our
judgment?
Trial patterns:
Not-Guilty Plea: When a defendant enters a plea of not guilty, the case
proceeds to trial. The jury is selected, 12 people plus alternate jurors if the
trial is expected to be long. At the trial, lawyers on each side of the case
may make brief statements (called "opening statements") to the jury,
outlining what they expect to prove with the evidence they have.
Presentation of Evidence: Each side then has a turn to present
evidence, which can be pictures, objects, documents, or sworn testimony by
witnesses. Evidence must have a tendency to prove or disprove the issues in the
case. The judge decides if evidence is unreliable based on evidence rules. The
evidence rules are intended to ensure that the evidence is reliable.
Objections: During a trial, if attorneys on either side feel that
a question asked or evidence offered is improper, they may make objections. The
judge may agree or disagree with such objections.
Closing Arguments: After both sides have presented their
evidence, each has a chance to present rebuttal, or opposing, evidence. Then
both sides of the case give their closing arguments. This is the stage when the
attorneys analyze and interpret the evidence that was presented.
Verdict: The judge will instruct the jury on the law that
applies to the case. The jury then moves to the jury room to reach a verdict.
All 12 jurors must agree on a guilty verdict.
If the jury reaches a guilty
verdict in a felony case, the judge will order a probation report and schedule
a sentencing hearing for 20 days later. A misdemeanor can be sentenced
immediately.
Sentences: State and local laws define crimes and
specify punishment. The maximum sentence for an infraction is a fine; for a
misdemeanor it is up to one year in a county jail; and for a felony it is time
in a state prison or, for some murders, death. Some counties offer
"diversion" programs that allow a judge to order a defendant to get
medical treatment or counseling or to do community service work. The diversion
program may take the place of a fine or jail sentence in certain types of
misdemeanor and felony cases.
Law terms
Constitutional Law 宪法
Criminal Law 刑法
Administrative Law 行政法
Civil Law 民法
Commercial Law, Mercantile Law
商法
Law of Nations 万国公法
International Law 国际法
Fiscal Law 财政法
Civil Suit Law, Code of Civil Law
民事诉讼法
court of first instance 一审法院(庭)
criminal court 刑事法院(庭)
civil court 民事法院(庭)
regional court, Court of Appeal
地区法院
Court of Cassation 上诉法院
High Court 高级法院 (美作: Supreme Court)
The Bar 律师席
judge 法官
presiding judge 庭长，首席法官
legal adviser 法律顾问
examining magistrate 地方预审法官
judge in appeal 上诉法官
juvenile court judge 少年法庭法官
jury 陪审团
juror 陪审员
lawyer, solicitor 律师，法律顾问
barrister 出庭律师 (美作: attorney,
lawyer)
assistant lawyer 见习律师
counsel for the defence 辩护律师，被告律师
attorney 代诉人，代理人
notary 公证人
to plead, claim 辩护
plea 辩护
deposition, evidence 证词
to plead guilty 服罪
sworn statement 誓词
on oath 发誓
accuser 原告
plaintiff 原告
criminal record 前科，犯罪记录
proceedings (诉讼)程序
inquiry 询问，调查
hearing 审讯，审问
summary 速审
interrogatory, examination 讯问，质问
release on bail 保释
release on parole 假释
to sue, to prosecute 起诉，提起公诉
to witness 作证
eyewitness 目击证人，目击者