Zoot Suit

One element of the pachuco persona is machismo, or masculine pride. How would you describe the pachuco construction of masculinity, and how is it displayed in the play? How does this construction of masculinity help or hinder the characters?

When he wrote the play, Luis Valdez only changed the names of the original historical figures slightly. For instance, Henry Leyvas became Henry Reyna. Valdez changed Alice Greenfield’s name to Alice Bloomfield. What does this say about the way Valdez is using this history? How do El Pachuco’s references to the play contribute to this understanding?

Consider the characters of El Pachuco and The Press. Compare and contrast them. How do they function in relation to other characters and the action of the play? What are their objectives, and how are they the same or different? What power do they have in the story?

What is the zoot suit? What does it represent literally and metaphorically within the play? Back up your argument using evidence from the play in which the zoot suit becomes a prominent symbol.

Zoot Suit premiered in 1978 and tells a narrative that took place in 1942-43. Consider the challenges of performing the play now. What might be particularly relevant to today’s audiences? What does the play omit that today’s audiences might want to see included? Is there anything that seems out of date or simply doesn’t age well?

When Henry reveals that he plans to enlist in the Navy, El Pachuco admonishes him for wanting to risk his life for a country that doesn’t value him. What do you think the play says about what it means to be an American? How is the play critiquing American society and identity? What do you think the play puts forth as a vision for what America should be? Use evidence from the text to make your argument.

Consider Della and Alice. How are they similar or different? Why do you think Valdez decided that Henry would choose Della at the end? Do you agree with that choice? Why or why not? What might have been an alternate path for his life if he had chosen Alice?

In Act II, Alice tells Henry, “Oh, Hank. All the love and hate it’s taken to get us together in this lousy prison room. Do you realize only Hitler and the Second World War could have accomplished that?” (72). What is the role of war in the play? What are the different wars taking place? Who is fighting them? What are the ultimate outcomes and impacts of those wars, both positive and negative?