DRAMA/Inquiry Unit: “Twelve Angry Men”

Sarah Bellamy, Co-Director of Penumbra Theatre in Minneapolis “It takes courage to open oneself up to perspectives that challenge one’s beliefs about theatre and its role in creating the cultural fabric that knits us together… We don't do theater to entertain, though it is always entertaining, we do theater to practice better ways of being in the world."

Common Formative Assessment 8.3. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? You will study what a character says or does in the play; You will be able to “read between the lines” to describe what this character is like, based on what he says; You will be able to review all of what was said and done to understand the decisions made. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision.

Overview of Drama/Inquiry Unit Read the play “Twelve Angry Men”; Watch the movie of the same play; Create and perform your own version of the play; Read the book Monster in class; Research bias in the courtroom With a partner, answer one of the inquiry questions through a variety of formats in a short presentation using all of the material you have received in class.

Background Vocabulary Bias Prejudice A tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc. a feeling of like or dislike for someone or something especially when it is not reasonable or logical

Background Info on “Lady Justice” She sometimes wears a blindfold, more so in Europe, but more often she appears without one. She usually carries a sword and scales. Almost always draped in flowing robes, mature but not old, she symbolizes the fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favor.

Justice That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are wise. Her bandage hides two festering sores That once perhaps were eyes. —Langston Hughes, from Scottsboro Limited

Today’s Assignment In your small groups of 3 people: Choose one of the inquiry questions on the next page and write a paragraph response answering the question. Be prepared to share it. Also in your same groups, select one of our vocabulary words: justice, bias, prejudice, and create a simile or metaphor to describe it. Be prepared to share.

Inquiry Questions How are prejudice & bias created and how do we overcome them? When should an individual take a stand against what he/she believes to be an injustice? What’s the most effective way to do this? Do we have choices concerning fairness & justice? What allows some individuals to take a stand against prejudice/oppression while others choose to participate in it, or to do nothing? What are the causes and consequences of prejudice & how does an individual’s response to it reveal his/her morals, ethics and values?