Juror Nine
Juror Nine is an old man who wants justice. He quickly comes to Eight’s side and advocates what he says. He plays a minor role in the story.
Evidence
Old Man
Act I, Page 314, Column 1: As the Jurors are getting seated, the foreman asks if everyone is here. Twelve replies, “The old man’s inside.” Then, the stage directions say the foreman turns to the washroom just as the door opens. Nine comes out, embarrassed. Combined, this shows Juror Nine is an old man.
Wants Justice
Act I, Page 315, Column 2: Ten calls the suspect a liar, telling Eight, “…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.” Nine becomes disgruntled at this comment and replies, “I don’t know that. What a terrible thing for a man to believe! Since when is dishonesty a group characteristic? You have no monopoly on the truth—.” Nine’s reply shows that he is against the assumption that the suspect is “one of them.” While he may believe the suspect is guilty at this point, he wants the Jury to decide so justly, not based on generalizations. Like Eight, he just wants justice.
Eight’s Advocate
Act I, Page 320, Column 1: Seven is asking Eight what exactly he’s trying to accomplish with eleven men against him. To Eight he says, “So what are you gonna do about it? We can be her all night.” Nine replies, “It’s only one night. A man may die.” This is essentially what Eight said when he gave his reasoning for voting not guilty. Already Nine is Taking Eight’s side. Furthermore, after Nine’s comment, the stage directions say Seven glares at Nine for a long while, but has no answer. Eight looks closely at Nine and we can begin to sense a rapport between them… This also shows that Eight and Nine are teaming up.
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: The second vote has just been taken and one Juror changed his vote. Nine admits to it after Three accuses Five. He points at Eight and says, “This gentleman chose to stand alone against us. That’s his right. It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone even if you believe in something very strongly. He left the verdict up to us. He gambled for support and I gave it to him. I want to hear more. The vote is ten to two.” This is the point when Nine officially goes to Eight’s side of not guilty. It is apparent he thinks highly of Eight.
Act I, Pages 325-326: Nine gives a very credible explanation for the flaws in the old man’s story. He says, “…I looked at him for a very long time. The seam of his jacket was split under the arm. Did you notice that? He was a very old man with a torn jacket, and he carried two canes. I think I know him better than anyone here. This is a quiet, frightened, insignificant man who has been nothing all his life, who has never had recognition—his name in the newspapers. Nobody knows him after seventy-five years. That’s a very sad thing. A man like this needs to be recognized. To be questioned, and listened to, and quoted just once. This is very important.” This quote tells a lot about Nine. First, he is advocating Eight’s side by claiming the old man’s testimony to be a lie and thus, inapplicable to the prosecution’s case. Second, as his speech progresses, he seems to begin describing himself. That’s why he “knows him better than anyone here.” He can connect with the old man and understands his motives for lying.
Act I, Page 314, Column 1: As the Jurors are getting seated, the foreman asks if everyone is here. Twelve replies, “The old man’s inside.” Then, the stage directions say the foreman turns to the washroom just as the door opens. Nine comes out, embarrassed. Combined, this shows Juror Nine is an old man.
Wants Justice
Act I, Page 315, Column 2: Ten calls the suspect a liar, telling Eight, “…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.” Nine becomes disgruntled at this comment and replies, “I don’t know that. What a terrible thing for a man to believe! Since when is dishonesty a group characteristic? You have no monopoly on the truth—.” Nine’s reply shows that he is against the assumption that the suspect is “one of them.” While he may believe the suspect is guilty at this point, he wants the Jury to decide so justly, not based on generalizations. Like Eight, he just wants justice.
Eight’s Advocate
Act I, Page 320, Column 1: Seven is asking Eight what exactly he’s trying to accomplish with eleven men against him. To Eight he says, “So what are you gonna do about it? We can be her all night.” Nine replies, “It’s only one night. A man may die.” This is essentially what Eight said when he gave his reasoning for voting not guilty. Already Nine is Taking Eight’s side. Furthermore, after Nine’s comment, the stage directions say Seven glares at Nine for a long while, but has no answer. Eight looks closely at Nine and we can begin to sense a rapport between them… This also shows that Eight and Nine are teaming up.
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: The second vote has just been taken and one Juror changed his vote. Nine admits to it after Three accuses Five. He points at Eight and says, “This gentleman chose to stand alone against us. That’s his right. It takes a great deal of courage to stand alone even if you believe in something very strongly. He left the verdict up to us. He gambled for support and I gave it to him. I want to hear more. The vote is ten to two.” This is the point when Nine officially goes to Eight’s side of not guilty. It is apparent he thinks highly of Eight.
Act I, Pages 325-326: Nine gives a very credible explanation for the flaws in the old man’s story. He says, “…I looked at him for a very long time. The seam of his jacket was split under the arm. Did you notice that? He was a very old man with a torn jacket, and he carried two canes. I think I know him better than anyone here. This is a quiet, frightened, insignificant man who has been nothing all his life, who has never had recognition—his name in the newspapers. Nobody knows him after seventy-five years. That’s a very sad thing. A man like this needs to be recognized. To be questioned, and listened to, and quoted just once. This is very important.” This quote tells a lot about Nine. First, he is advocating Eight’s side by claiming the old man’s testimony to be a lie and thus, inapplicable to the prosecution’s case. Second, as his speech progresses, he seems to begin describing himself. That’s why he “knows him better than anyone here.” He can connect with the old man and understands his motives for lying.