What is the significance of exchanging names at the end of 12 Angry Men?
Throughout the film 12 Angry Men (1957) (as well as the other plays and films, I assume) the jurors do not know each other by name, only number. That is until the final scene when jurors 8 (the protagonist) and 9 (the old man) share their names of Davis and McCardle, respectively.
Is there any significance of these names, or even of the act of name swapping itself?
Best Answer
A jury usually withheld names in order to remove any effects of names, castes etc into the process. Inside the jury room, the people are simply humans trying to impart justice. When two people swap names, it signifies a bond, especially if it is done after passing through an experience together. The men, after having gone through a emotional, social and philosophical awakening inside the room, share a common realization of the darkness inside every one of them. They have now formed a bond because they believe each of them has contributed to the right by voting not guilty. When the two men exchange names, it is their belief and respect in each other, as well as the implication of a beginning of a bond or friendship between the two. When (in the old times), strangers came to town, the names would be exchanged only when they had gathered respect or became enemies. Thus, the name exchange signifies the human social element in the men, that outside the jury room, they are just ordinary people in their lives.
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After convincing the jury to give a Not Guilty verdict, Juror #8 walks over to #3, his nemesis, and puts his coat on for him. The gesture shows us that despite the extent to which they've argued in the jury room, there will be no hard feelings once they head back into the world.12 Angry Men: Analysis and Screenwriting Tips
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Answer 2
It humanizes them. But notice, after that, old Mr. McCardle suddenly looks uncomfortable, as if he feels he's crossed a line of inappropriate intimacy. These men are supposed to symbolize universal humanity, despite their highly idiosyncratic individuality. Also maybe it's better if they just remain (maybe for each other, but for the audience) anonymous.
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Images: Pavel Danilyuk, Pixabay, Spencer Selover, Pixabay