Zoot Suit By Luis Valdez: An Analysis

A historical commentary written by Luis Valdez, Zoot Suit presents the issue of discrimination brought about by the clashing of two opposing cultures. Henry (Hank) Reyna represents this theme as he attempts to prove his innocence when he and other members of the 38th Street gang are accused and taken to court for a crime they did not commit. Henry and his gang are charged with the murder of a fellow Mexican American, Jose Williams, not because there was convincing evidence to prove them guilty, but because their ethnic identity and unique style of behavior drew arguably unwarranted suspicion to them. The underlying conflict that leads to their arrest and unfair trial is a clash between Mexican Americans and the dominant Anglo (white) culture. The zoot suiters represented a minority portion of Mexican Americans. They donned slick suits and strutted around with swaggering coolness. These mannerisms were seen by some Anglos as a threat to mainstream society.

Although Henry’s father Enrique Reyna does not have a continually active role in the plot, Enrique is worth mentioning since he offers a different type of Mexican-American during the period of the play.

Enrique represents the assimilated Mexican Americans of the 1940s, who accepted being segregated in the barrios (Spanish-speaking neighborhoods) and who held low-paying, low-status jobs. They were tolerated by the Anglo society as long as they limited their aspirations and kept to themselves. Enrique is perfectly content to keep his nose clean and deal with the circumstances the Anglo community confines him and other Mexican Americans to. Enrique and the rest of Henry’s family influence the part of Henry that strives to become a model citizen and join the

Navy.
El Pachuco serves multiple roles in Zoot Suit. At times he portrays the zoot-suited spirit of the Pachucos. Valdez presents El Pachuco as a rebellious, street-smart, young Chicano, El Pachuco becomes the master of ceremonies (emcee) of this play, as well as a leading figure, chorus, and the alter ego of Henry Reyna as well. In his “cool” outfit (long jacket, baggy trousers, and lengthy watch chain), El Pachuco preaches his ideals primarily to Henry, with a bitter perspective and an emphasis on maintaining a close allegiance to one’s own culture and language and defiance of the Anglos. El Pachuco believe that the Anglos and Americans not of Mexican origin, seek to control the lives of his people (la Raza), robbing them of their ethnic pride and dignity all while exploiting them and discriminating against anyone with brown skin. He represents the rebellious side of Henry that wants to lash out against the Anglos seeking to oppress him.
Henry Reyna is described as a twenty-one year old Chicano with “Indian-looking” features. A complex character, there are many internal struggles that Henry faces throughout the play despite the tough façade he presents to his opposition. There are numerous instances where Henry wants nothing more than to fit into society like his father Enrique, such as his desire at the beginning of the play to enlist in the Navy. However, when Henry becomes unjustly discriminated against for his lifestyle, Henry’s pride and El Pachuco persuade him to at least temporarily abandon his goals to become a model citizen and decides to fight the injustices he and his fellow zoot suiters have continually faced. Henry becomes rebellious, angry, and resentful of authority, which represents for him discrimination against Chicanos, and he does nothing to appease those in control of his fate. Valdez leaves the fate of Henry with three potential endings. The audience/reader must determine themselves if Henry returned to prison and drug abuse, died in the war in Korea and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously, or married his girlfriend Della and had five children.