The Art of 12 Angry Men

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Literary Devices

Intent

Advanced writers write with intent and purpose. There is something they want us to get out of the text, and they will purposely guide us to it, but they will almost never tell us directly.

Our job as readers is to discover and appreciate the author’s art.

Characterization

The method by which an author creates the appearance and personality of imaginary persons and reveals their character.

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What are some ways that Rose has developed his characters?

Indirect Characterization

Indirect: Author shows information about a character and the reader needs to make inferences based on the information.

-Gestures, movement: The physical movement of a character during a play; may include facial expressions

-Foil: a character who is somewhat opposite of the main character, throwing light on that particular character’s specific temperament.

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Indirect Characterization: Dialogue

To More Closely Analyze Dialogue look at:

-Type of sentences used (Rose: questions)

-Length of Sentences: Short or long?

Can help us analyze the type of conversation as well as the speed and

therefore, intensity.

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-Presence of Irony (Rose: sarcasm-verbal irony)

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-Word choice/Register-register is the degree of formality of the

chosen words in a text.

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Direct Characterization

Direct: Author tells the reader about the character

-Narration/character descriptions

-Introduction

-Stage directions

-Statements throughout the play

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