Juror Ten
Juror Ten is a bigoted man who denounces the suspect as “one of them” from the beginning. Like Juror Three, he loses his temper easily and is a jerk.
Evidence
Bigot
Act I, Page 315, Column 2: After Eight states his reasoning for voting not guilty, Ten says, “I don’t mind telling you this, mister. We don’t owe him a thing. He got a fair trial, didn’t he? You know what that trial cost? He’s lucky he got it. Look, we’re all grownups here. You’re not going to tell us we’re supposed to believe him, knowing what he is. I’ve lived among ‘em all my life. You can’t believe a word they say. You know that.” This comment shows how bigoted Ten is. From the start, Ten considers the suspect less than human, calling him “one of them.” He is also intolerant of Eight’s opinion to discuss the case. In his mind, the suspect is guilty until proven innocent.
Act III, Page 336-337: A third vote is taken and the Jury now stands at nine for not guilty and three for guilty. Ten is among the three for guilty. He begins on a long tangent: “I don’t understand you people. How can you believe this kid is innocent? Look, you know how these people lie. I don’t have to tell you. They don’t know what the truth is. And lemme tell you, they don’t need any real big reason to kill someone either. You know, they get drunk, and bang, someone’s lying in the gutter. Nobody’s blaming them. That’s how they are. You know what I mean? Violent!” His spiel continues without improvement. Ten clearly sees the suspect and others who grow up in the slum as animals. To him, they are a totally different species from human. He refuses to find reasonable doubt in his mind, even though nine other men have. His intolerance for the suspect and others with bleak backgrounds clearly makes him bigoted.
Hot Temper
Act I, Page 320, Column 1: Eight asks Ten’s opinion on whether the suspect lied about losing his knife in the street. According the stage directions, Ten violently replies, “Now that’s a stupid question. Sure he lied!” Eight is a calm man, and there was really no reason for Ten to “violently” reply. The only explanation is that he has a hot temper.
Act II, Page 326, Column 2: The Jury is discussing the meaning behind the words, “I’m going to kill you.” Eight says, “Well, let me ask you this. Do you really think the boy would shout out a thing like that so the whole neighborhood would hear it? I don’t think so. He’s much too bright for that.” According to the stage directions, ten explodes and replies, “Bright! He’s a common, ignorant slob. He don’t even speak good English!” Ten had a right to become annoyed with Eight’s comment, but to explode shows he has anger issues.
Jerk
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: Eleven is describing how America is a place where men have the right to hold opposing opinions whereas in his country that wasn’t the case. Ten interjects with, “What do we have to listen to now—the whole history of your country?” His comment is equivalent to a slap in the face. Eleven does not speak much as it is, and Ten decides that any speaking from him is too much. This comment clearly shows his jerkish character.
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: Nine gives his heart-felt explanation for switching his vote to not guilty. Ten feels like he has to put his two cents in and says, “That’s fine. If the speech is over, let’s move on.” His comment is aimed to make Nine feel stupid and insulted, perhaps for some personal gain. Whatever the reason, Ten sounds like a total jerk here.
Act I, Page 315, Column 2: After Eight states his reasoning for voting not guilty, Ten says, “I don’t mind telling you this, mister. We don’t owe him a thing. He got a fair trial, didn’t he? You know what that trial cost? He’s lucky he got it. Look, we’re all grownups here. You’re not going to tell us we’re supposed to believe him, knowing what he is. I’ve lived among ‘em all my life. You can’t believe a word they say. You know that.” This comment shows how bigoted Ten is. From the start, Ten considers the suspect less than human, calling him “one of them.” He is also intolerant of Eight’s opinion to discuss the case. In his mind, the suspect is guilty until proven innocent.
Act III, Page 336-337: A third vote is taken and the Jury now stands at nine for not guilty and three for guilty. Ten is among the three for guilty. He begins on a long tangent: “I don’t understand you people. How can you believe this kid is innocent? Look, you know how these people lie. I don’t have to tell you. They don’t know what the truth is. And lemme tell you, they don’t need any real big reason to kill someone either. You know, they get drunk, and bang, someone’s lying in the gutter. Nobody’s blaming them. That’s how they are. You know what I mean? Violent!” His spiel continues without improvement. Ten clearly sees the suspect and others who grow up in the slum as animals. To him, they are a totally different species from human. He refuses to find reasonable doubt in his mind, even though nine other men have. His intolerance for the suspect and others with bleak backgrounds clearly makes him bigoted.
Hot Temper
Act I, Page 320, Column 1: Eight asks Ten’s opinion on whether the suspect lied about losing his knife in the street. According the stage directions, Ten violently replies, “Now that’s a stupid question. Sure he lied!” Eight is a calm man, and there was really no reason for Ten to “violently” reply. The only explanation is that he has a hot temper.
Act II, Page 326, Column 2: The Jury is discussing the meaning behind the words, “I’m going to kill you.” Eight says, “Well, let me ask you this. Do you really think the boy would shout out a thing like that so the whole neighborhood would hear it? I don’t think so. He’s much too bright for that.” According to the stage directions, ten explodes and replies, “Bright! He’s a common, ignorant slob. He don’t even speak good English!” Ten had a right to become annoyed with Eight’s comment, but to explode shows he has anger issues.
Jerk
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: Eleven is describing how America is a place where men have the right to hold opposing opinions whereas in his country that wasn’t the case. Ten interjects with, “What do we have to listen to now—the whole history of your country?” His comment is equivalent to a slap in the face. Eleven does not speak much as it is, and Ten decides that any speaking from him is too much. This comment clearly shows his jerkish character.
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: Nine gives his heart-felt explanation for switching his vote to not guilty. Ten feels like he has to put his two cents in and says, “That’s fine. If the speech is over, let’s move on.” His comment is aimed to make Nine feel stupid and insulted, perhaps for some personal gain. Whatever the reason, Ten sounds like a total jerk here.