12 ANGRY MEN

A presentation on the film in view of the factors that influenced its making and metaphorical or allegorical representation of the 1950's. 12 ANGRY MEN portrayed a lot of issues in a sophisticated narrative, that can be related to the 1950's. The film made in 1957 gives us an idea of the overall sociology of America then, and this in turn can be split in many sub-divisions like: Economics, Arts, Architecture, Sports, Technology, Politics, Culture and a general 'Idea of life' and also the country in making.

Economics:
1. America was in a state of Industrial growth, hence a lot of job opportunities were available for the women, especially whose husbands were in the war and thus a slow acceptance of their role actively in the society. 2. Capitalism was very dominant and in turn there was a beginning in the flow of people from the country side to the city, and then to the suburbs and also an increase in the slums in the cities. And one of the jurors that's from the slums is an example of this fact. 3. People also started to get into a rat race and were more concerned about earning money and started to drift away from empathy. This can be represented by one of the older jurors in a hurry saying I cant stay here all night.My garages are going pot, even though the fate of a man lies in his hands.

Arts:
1. A book 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' published in 1955 was a big hit that showed the economic status of middle class families in America and how in general they lived then. This is used as a reference in the film by Lee.J.Cobb to describe another juror who works in an Ad agency.

Architecture :
1. Architecture was at a boom in that period in America. All over the world developed countries tried to mimic American tall, high rise buildings, a metaphoric representation of the wealth, power and advancement in America. It was prominent in the film as the protagonist too was an architect and is also portrayed as being wealthy. 2. Also the Court is shown as a huge structure and supported by big pillars, a metaphorical reference to all the values and rules the American judicial system stands for and also in a way showing that the jury is an important part of structure.

Sports:
1. Baseball and Basketball were pretty famous back then, especially baseball and the film has one of the jurors as a baseball fan, Yankees being the team he roots for and is very anxious to watch the game and has no idea of missing it. He is one of the jurors who hurries up the jury session to end.

Politics:
1. 1957 can be remembered as a very crucial year that changed USA as we know it, there was a stronger anti-communist feeling all over the country than it was previously. 2. Even though there were a lot of Immigrants in America, they weren't accepted yet, especially Negroes. And a lot of racial remarks can be observed in the movie by the 'native' Americans. There was a lot of discrimination based on race and this led to the resistance to racial segregation and discrimination led by Martin Luther King Jr. Also interestingly the then president of America, D.Eisenhower also declared racial discrimination a national security

issue, as Communists around the world used the racial discrimination and history of violence in the U.S. as a point of propaganda attack.

Culture:
1. The dressing style especially for men above 25 was very conventional, mostly Grey Flannel suits, slim ties and belts, mostly pre wwII style of clothing. Most of the jurors are thus seen in such clothes. 2. T.V sets were very popular and children were addicted to them, and ad agencies had a lot to gain through their commercials.

Metaphoric comparisons:
1. The protagonist being an architect and being one of the most sensible men in that room and has his own set of values and characteristics can be compared to those who Build the nation in a literal sense. 2. The film can be compared to a piece of music, a soundtrack in the movie INCEPTION, called 'A Simple Idea'. I feel so as the music makes the listener feel how the thought process keeps working in us, and how an idea is formed. And the relation of this piece of music to the film '12 Angry Men' is that, the protagonist has this idea of the accused not being guilty and by the end of the movie how he nourished that idea and planted it in the other jurors' mind.