The Methuen Drama Study Edition of "Twelve Angry Men" is the first critical edition of Reginald Rose's play, providing the performance text along with commentary and notes intended for student readers.
In New York, in 1954, one man is dead and another's life hangs in the balance. A "guilty" verdict seems inevitable, but one juror has the willingness to delve deeper into the evidence and the courage to confront the ignorance and prejudice of some of his peers. The ensuing conflict is intense and passionate, touching the heart of issues of civil liberties and social justice.
Ideal for the student reader, the accompanying pedagogical notes include elements such as an author timeline, plot summary, suggested further reading, explanatory notes, and questions for further study. The introduction analyzes in detail the roots of the play as a television play in 1954, Rose's adaptation for the stage, and Lumet's 1957 film, tracing the variations between these versions and discussing significant later productions.
The critique also places the play in relation to the genre of courtroom drama, as a milestone in the development of television drama, and as an engagement with questions of American individualism and democracy. All this provides students with an edition that situates the play in its contemporary social and dramatic contexts while encouraging reflection on its broader thematic implications.
Pages: 144, Year of Publication: 1201, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm
