Small Great Things

by

Jodi Picoult

Juror Number 12 Character Analysis

A white, inner city schoolteacher called for jury duty during Ruth's trial. During jury selection, both Kennedy and Howard have reservations about her—Kennedy's questions reveal that while she says she's not racist, she holds implicit biases against people of color—but they allow her to move through and sit with the jury. It's implied that she's the one juror who won't agree to acquit Ruth of the charges brought against her by the state.
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Juror Number 12 Character Timeline in Small Great Things

The timeline below shows where the character Juror Number 12 appears in Small Great Things. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 18, Kennedy
Institutional Racism Theme Icon
Belonging and Community Theme Icon
...second man is an older black man and Kennedy loves him immediately. A bit later, juror number 12 takes the stand. She's a teacher in an integrated classroom and tells Kennedy that she's... (full context)
Institutional Racism Theme Icon
The Justice System and the Politics of Speech Theme Icon
...from the first group of fourteen jurors. Odette doesn't want to allow Kennedy to excuse juror number 12 , so Kennedy and Howard huddle to discuss. Howard wants her to use a strike,... (full context)
Chapter 29, Kennedy
Institutional Racism Theme Icon
Belonging and Community Theme Icon
...eleven to one. When Kennedy speaks to Howard after the meeting, they both know that juror number 12 is the one who won't budge. Kennedy relays the news to Ruth and says she... (full context)