How do both texts examine the concept of justice and the misuse of power?
Justice/ The role of prejudice/ Group power and authority versus the individual/ the individual and conscience…
- Investigate those in a position of power. What do such people / officials reveal about justice? (Danforth, Johnny Friendly, the 3rd and 10th Jurors) How do they abuse power? How does their abuse lead or possibly lead to a miscarriage of justice
- The concept of justice from the viewpoint of the dispossessed; the victim ; the voiceless (JP, Terry Molloy – victim / 8th juror
- What other issues are important?
Plan of a paragraph (12 Angry Men)
Many people in a position of power or authority abuse this position for their own personal and professional advantage. They often confuse their position of power with their own personal needs or they exploit their position to gain power over another.
How: group dynamics – some in a powerful position use of language, body demeanour … clinging to discredited eye witness statements – making assumptions based on their own bigoted viewpoints.. .
E 3rd Juror abuses his position of power: personal vendetta – specifically the words he uses to silence the 8th Juror or to ensure that he does not analyse the eye witness testimonies in more detail…
E 10th Juror’s attitude and comments
Second half of paragraph or small paragraph with mini topic sentence and comparative sentence)
Similarly, those in a position of power in the film Waterfront, such as JF – also exploit their power for their own personal benefit…
- Waterfront – subversion of justice through the codes of silence
- D D code – code of silence ; those in a position of authority conveniently and strategically manipulate the D and D code in order to silence any dissent…
- A code – seeks to intimidate the workers from exposing unjust and corrupt practices.
- Eg… specific example
Return to Homework Tasks Page
Return to Comparative Essays : Page