Juror One
Juror One acts as the foreman. He has an air of authority above the rest of the Jurors. He generally does not speak unless a tense conflict arises between the Jurors. He wants the trial to be as fair and efficient as possible.
Evidence
Authority
Act I, Page 313, Column 2: the Jurors have just entered the jury room and some are making small talk with each other. The foreman interrupts the chatter and briskly says, “All right gentlemen. Let’s take seats.” This is the first line spoken by Juror One. He is giving a polite command, not a suggestion or question. If he had the same amount of authority as the others, he would have said something like, “Shall we have a seat gentlemen?” Instead, the words he used show his slight power above the rest of the Jury.
Act I, Page 314, Column 1: All the Jurors have finally taken a seat. According to the stage directions, they all look at the foreman expectantly. In return, he says, “All right. Now, you gentlemen can handle this any way you want to. I mean, I’m not going to make any rules. If we want to discuss it first and then vote, that’s one way. Or we can vote right now and see how we stand.” The way the Jury looks at him expectantly before beginning clearly shows One’s authority. His power is also shown through his ability to guide the direction of the discussion.
All Acts: In every act, at least one group vote is taken. When these votes occur, Juror One always tallies the results. He either collects the secret ballots and counts them aloud or directly asks each Juror their opinion.
Speaks When Conflict Arises
Act I, Page 318, Column 1: Ten and Four agree that slums are breeding grounds for criminals. Five speaks up, offended because he grew up in a slum. The atmosphere is very tense, so One says, “Now let’s be reasonable. There’s nothing personal—.” By speaking up, he eases the tension and is able to avoid an all-out confrontation between the three Jurors.
Act II, Page 324, Column 2: Eight snatches a paper from Three that has a tick-tack-toe square drawn upon it. This angers Three, and he threatens to “walk around the table and belt him one.” However, One interjects with, “Now, please. I don’t want any fights in here.” Although Three remains angry, he does calm down a bit and is able to let the ordeal go without violence. It seems that stepping between tense conflicts is part of One’s role as the foreman.
Wants a Fair & Efficient Trial
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: Nine offers to give his reasoning behind changing his vote to not guilty. Three responds with an angry, “No, we wouldn’t like to know why.” One overrules Three by replying, “The man wants to talk.” This gives Nine the opportunity to speak. By allowing all Jurors to give their opinions, One makes the trial as thorough and fair as possible.
Act III, Page 334, Column 2: Seven makes a prejudice comment about Eleven’s immigrant status. Five does not stand for this, and angrily talks Seven into apologizing. Once they seem to be settled, One says, “All right. Let’s stop the arguing. Who’s got something constructive to say?” With this comment, One is able to get the Jurors back on track with the case at hand. It would not be efficient to allow so many arguments irrelevant to the case to arise. Thus, by interjecting One is ensuring the trial becomes as efficient as possible.
Act I, Page 313, Column 2: the Jurors have just entered the jury room and some are making small talk with each other. The foreman interrupts the chatter and briskly says, “All right gentlemen. Let’s take seats.” This is the first line spoken by Juror One. He is giving a polite command, not a suggestion or question. If he had the same amount of authority as the others, he would have said something like, “Shall we have a seat gentlemen?” Instead, the words he used show his slight power above the rest of the Jury.
Act I, Page 314, Column 1: All the Jurors have finally taken a seat. According to the stage directions, they all look at the foreman expectantly. In return, he says, “All right. Now, you gentlemen can handle this any way you want to. I mean, I’m not going to make any rules. If we want to discuss it first and then vote, that’s one way. Or we can vote right now and see how we stand.” The way the Jury looks at him expectantly before beginning clearly shows One’s authority. His power is also shown through his ability to guide the direction of the discussion.
All Acts: In every act, at least one group vote is taken. When these votes occur, Juror One always tallies the results. He either collects the secret ballots and counts them aloud or directly asks each Juror their opinion.
Speaks When Conflict Arises
Act I, Page 318, Column 1: Ten and Four agree that slums are breeding grounds for criminals. Five speaks up, offended because he grew up in a slum. The atmosphere is very tense, so One says, “Now let’s be reasonable. There’s nothing personal—.” By speaking up, he eases the tension and is able to avoid an all-out confrontation between the three Jurors.
Act II, Page 324, Column 2: Eight snatches a paper from Three that has a tick-tack-toe square drawn upon it. This angers Three, and he threatens to “walk around the table and belt him one.” However, One interjects with, “Now, please. I don’t want any fights in here.” Although Three remains angry, he does calm down a bit and is able to let the ordeal go without violence. It seems that stepping between tense conflicts is part of One’s role as the foreman.
Wants a Fair & Efficient Trial
Act II, Page 323, Column 2: Nine offers to give his reasoning behind changing his vote to not guilty. Three responds with an angry, “No, we wouldn’t like to know why.” One overrules Three by replying, “The man wants to talk.” This gives Nine the opportunity to speak. By allowing all Jurors to give their opinions, One makes the trial as thorough and fair as possible.
Act III, Page 334, Column 2: Seven makes a prejudice comment about Eleven’s immigrant status. Five does not stand for this, and angrily talks Seven into apologizing. Once they seem to be settled, One says, “All right. Let’s stop the arguing. Who’s got something constructive to say?” With this comment, One is able to get the Jurors back on track with the case at hand. It would not be efficient to allow so many arguments irrelevant to the case to arise. Thus, by interjecting One is ensuring the trial becomes as efficient as possible.