Analysis of Zoot Suit Essay - 1141 Words

The book Zoot Suit has symbolic significance for Mexican Americans and tells about the riots during World War II. The Sleepy Lagoon Murder was one step in the fight for the rights and respect of Mexican Americans. This riot involved young servicemen and civilians who clashed in the streets of the city with young Mexican Americans who wore the noticeable quot;Zoot Suit.quot; At their height, the riots involved several thousand men and women. In the end no one was killed and only a few were injured but even today, the Zoot Suit riots are remembered for their significance. Throughout the play there are underlying theme that suggest different ideas. The themes I will discuss is how Mexican American men are portrayed in relation†¦show more content†¦The Zoot Suit represents a changing society that the general population isnt ready to accept it so they blame the crimes and the murders on those who dare to vary from quot;normal.quot; This is going on during World War II and many of the Mexican Americans feel like they have no place fighting the war and that the real war is the war between soldiers with their tight button up collars and the hang loose Zoot Suiters who are mostly Mexican American. Pachuco asked Henry, quot;Off to fight for your country?quot; (p. 30) Henry replies, quot;Why not?quot; (p. 30) Pachuco then states, quot;Because this aint your country. Look whats happening all around you. The Japs have sewed up the Pacific. Rommel is kicking ass in Egypt but the Mayor of L.A. has declared an all out war on Chicanos. On you!quot; (p. 30) This quote brings up the issue relating to whether WWII should be fought by Mexican Americans or not. Pachuco, in this scene, seems to feel that it isnt a war to be fought by the Mexican American but it is a time to begin a war to gain respect for this culture. Pachuco says, quot;The citys cracking down on pachucos, carnal. Dont you read the newspapers? Theyre screaming for blood.quot; (p. 29) This quote implies that the press is exaggerating the stories it tells in order to sell more papers. The press may have contributed to the Zoot Suit Riot with their influence on public beliefs. He refers to the newspaperShow MoreRelatedZoot Suit Analysis1426 Words   |  6 PagesIn his introduction to Luis Valdez Zoot Suit, theatre historian Jorge Huerta calls the play a type of broad, farcical and presentational political theater (Huerta, 8) alluding to the overt call to action in the storyline and themes of injustice and racial tensions in the play. 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