Along with your personal reading responses on your own blogs, respond to one of the prompts below. Post your response to this page with a clear heading that indicates the topic you chose.
(1) Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit opened in July of 1978. Some postulate that much of his inspiration for writing the historical drama was a result of the impact of the Vietnam conflict on the American psyche. Follow some of the links below, read them, and then respond to this question: What about the Vietnam conflict may have inspired Luis Valdez to write Zoot Suit? (Consider the dialogue about war within the play; also consider the history you already know about the conflict in Los Angeles during the time of the Zoot Suit Riots.)
(2)Jorge Huerta states that Luis Valdez reminds readers that "Americans populate The Americas, not just the U.S." (14) How does Zoot Suit remain a play about unity, despite the powerful divisions presented within its pages? Cite specific instances to support your response.
(3) Read the links that describe corridos. After you learn a little about them, re-read the Pachuco's monologues that make use of the corrido style. Respond to the following questions: How true did Valdez stay to the original intent or use of corridos in the play? What is the affect of including the corrido-styled moments in the play?
After you have posted your response on this page, you must reply to at least ONE of the postings from another class member. It may not be someone from your presentation group. Feel free to reply as needed to anyone who responds to your original posting.
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Prompt 2
ReplyDeleteZoot Suit remains a play about unity because ,
Henry's lawyer was not Mexican , he was in fact white and so was Alice . These two people who were the lifeline for Henry and his gang , defied the odds and took a risk with helping the "enemy" ; as the were seen by the whites . I think that by having a white lawyer showed that not all of them were trying to divide themself from the Zoot Suiters.
Prompt #2
ReplyDeleteI believe the play is about unity because even though you have whites against the Mexicans there are still whites that are fighting for the Mexican rights. I believe that it focuses on not just the white issues but the black issues as well how the white discriminating against the black, but some white were on the black side as well. It brings unity because the whites are not just against the Mexicans it’s a variety of them against and a variety for the whole trial .
When it come to the play in spite of the controversies that occurred such as racism, neglect, discrimination, false accusations, and many other things. Zoot Suit showed unity throughout the different scene changes. For example the situation with Henry and the boys there lawyer, George, and the news reporter Alice, were indeed not Mexican, they both were white however, they were still willing to fight it out with them regardless of what society thought as well as said in the media. Although most whites were against them only a majority offered to help in fighting for there rights. Like the saying "Cream of the Crop" these few were the cream of the crop, meaning they were different, unique, and showed willingness to be the ones to show unity, regardless of what people said or thought in the time they lived in. They showed togetherness and wanted to be there as well as support them even if the world was against them. Overall, unity played a big role in this play. With this unity things were accomplished and the thoughts of Freedom became reality. With Unity anything is possible not just in today's society but back then Unity is just a stepping stone of the unreachable and impossible. Valdez portrayed this very well.
ReplyDeletePrompt #2
ReplyDeleteZoot Suit showed unity throughout the play. Unity is continuity of purpose, action, etc. Even though Mexicans were discriminated against by white people, there were still whites who supported Henry and the gang like Alice and George. I also believe that Zoot Suit created an image for the readers, and in that image it gave us a message that it doesn’t matter what color you are, you will always have a second chance. That’s what Henry and the gang got a chance to let their voices be heard and they were.
Prompt #2
ReplyDeleteThe play, Zoot-Suit by Luis Valdez demonstrated racial tensities' but above all, showed that we, as humans have the power to overcome such things. For example, Alice and George; both white lawyers who were fighting for the boys appeal. Although it seemed as if they were fighting the case alone, Alice told Henry that they could'nt lose the appeal "because we've got too much support. You should see the kinds of people responding to us. Unions, Mexicans, Negroes, Oakies..." (Valdez. 83) By having everyone bond together and fight for something they believed in, Henry and his gang were able to get out of prison. Valdez also shows us that not everything is rose colored, but that we need to see things with reality otherwise we would be living a false vision with no hopes or goals.
Prompt 2
ReplyDeleteThroughout the whole Zoot Suit play unity had a role. What is Unity the state of being one; oneness. Reason why I believe this play had unity because different races helped each other. For example Henry’s lawyer, in fact his lawyer helped him out big time. And what I mean by saying this play is unity is because back them race issues was a big factor and the lawyer helped him out. I also believe it had unity because both Whites and Mexicans fought for one another, so basically they showed each other that they was there for them no matter what others thought. I also believe this play showed that no matter what color you are you can prove a point to anything such as this play did. So overall this play showed unity.
#3
ReplyDeleteAs far as el pachuco using corrido-style language, he did since he would cite information of past events, historical events. Valdez did stay true to some point as far as giving out the information or oral history that had happened during the riot and war. Also another way would be through el pachuco's songs, he would sing about events that happened like those of being on the night clubs and where in the nation would people wear the pachuco outfit, and also stating when the boys were released and so forth. The effect is that information that was not written down on newspaper is now being passed on as music. Music can be a way of passing on information and helping remember it with a beat at it's side. Some history may not be important to some people but to others it is, and through any ways that information will get passed on even if it's through music, and when el pachuco sings or speaks he does tends to send out some information of what happened a certain day or event.
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ReplyDeleteMy response is on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't post it on this blog.
(I don't think it fit???) lol.
To Jenny:
ReplyDeleteThank you for defining what a corrido is and what it's suppose to do. (I like your definition.) By reading your definition of a corrido and using my knowledge of what a corrido is, I agree with you. El Pachuco sings the hardships and tells the story of the Latino community at the beginning of some scenes. Through this, I certainly learned things The Press failed to inform me in the play.
I like the fact that you used support in your reasons why Valdez did in fact stay true to the corridos. Lastly, I agree that El Pachuco is certainly the story-teller of the play.
Kudos! :)
prompt 3
ReplyDeleteValdez did stay true to the use of corridos in the play not actually one be he did portray corridor with El Pachuco. Since he would give us information of historical and past events, and how ordinary people got hurt but stood strong. Valdez stayed true because he gave us information about the war and the historical events that happened. In El pachuco's songs, he would tell us about the places and hardships the pachucos would face and what they had to overcome. In one song at the very beginning of Act 1, Scene 1 on pg 26-27 El Pachuco sings a song to demonstrate the style and why they were the Zoot Suit and how a Zoot suiter should feel when he wearing the drapes. The affect is that like corridos, it’s for inspiration and for the fact that the news that does not get through does. It shows how an authority was corrupt and the tyranny that was committed by them. They also can send a message to the audience of what might happen and how it will end. It all is in what El Pachuco states he is the corridor of the play the one who will live on and tell the story.
I deleted the prompt because I found mistakes that I needed to fix.
ReplyDeleteTo Lidia
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said in the response to prompt one. If people were to know that with unity you can over come anything. I know that half the problems that we have now would have never occurred in the first place. The small problems that we face today would be meaningless if you could have some kind of support. The way u ended this response I never thought of that but now I can see what you mean. When people live in a fantasy world it never turns out the way one wants it because you have no hope or goals. It’s just like if everything is handed to you when you want it, you’ll never learn anything or think that everything you want you must have.
Prompt # 2
ReplyDeleteThroughout the play Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, represented Unity. It represented Unity because Henry's lawyers George and Alice, who were white knew that it wasn't their fault and wanted to prove to the judge and others that they were making an injustice in abusing Henry and the others. Also, because George and Alice had many complications throughout the play. For, example when they had sent George to war. What a coincidence that George was sent away but he did everything he can to still help out Henry and his crew. It represents unity because George and Alice faced many problems, but together they were able to find a way out.
Prompt #3
ReplyDeleteValdez use somewhat the use of corridos music in the play because in this play he would change the style of music by the tone of the characters, the type of drama that was going on in the scene. Like as I said before the corrido music was use only in the scene were there were drama meaning for example when the zoot suiter were entering the bar, El Pachuco was singing a type of corridors music then suddenly he stops because there were uninvited guest, and also El Pachuco sings corridos song about life, about whats going on and how he feels.
I agree with kemoore13 about having a second chance no matter the race or ethnicity , we both used the same idea of the white people who were helping Henry and his gang get out of jail and how all whites aren't racist.
ReplyDeletePrompt 2
ReplyDeleteThe zoot suit play was a very good play about unity. Throughout the whole play the 38th street gang stuck together, none of the boys gave up on each other at all eventhough at times there were doubts about winning the court case. Everyone seemed as though they hated the 38th street gang, yet the term gang is often used out of context. This is what we see in society today. These boys were friends, they all remained true to themselves and that was what made them so unique.
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ReplyDeleteTo Jenny
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your posting a response to prompt three because it helped me better understand the purpose of the corridos being in the play.I also like how you connected the corridos to the story so that we can have a better understanding of what is going on. And i agree with you, El Pachuco is like the story teller of the play, and that without his singing there would be parts of the information missing.
To Karina Solis Scene 8
ReplyDeleteYou could have been more detailed because it was a bit too general. I also believe that you could have used a better quote which could have allowed you to write more on your scene.
Prompt #2
ReplyDeleteUnity remained despite that fact that there were people who were racist and there were divisions amongst people of different lifestyles.
I think Valdez showed this by bringing into the play, another event that occurred during the same time period, the second world war.
The case for the appeal of the Pachucos' convictions also correlated with the war that was happening at the same time.
Both events connected because in both people were fighting for the equality. In the war, they were fighting for the rights of Jews and other peoples' who did not fit Hitler's idea of a perfect person, and in the case/appeal they were fighting for lawfulness.
This is evident in Act 2, Scene 8 - The winning of the war. In this scene there are multiple headlines about the war, one in particular states: "On the homefront, Americans go on with their daily lives with growing confidence and relief, as the war pushes on toward inevitable triumph." p.86. Although i think this refers to other Americans, this can apply to the families of the convicted Pachucos.
Then when America wins the war, The Pachucos also win the appeal. This in a sense shows "justice for all".
Also, George is white and Alice reveals that she is a Jew. This adds to the play's unity because she and other people of different nationalities and cultures came together to support the cause, help out, and fund raise, etc. for the cause.
Valdez also used music to show unification among the Zoot Suitors and the sailors. Even though they dressed differently, they still went to the same clubs and danced the same dances to the same music.
Prompt #2 talking about unity
ReplyDeleteI feel like the play remained in unity because everyone stuck together. When times were hard for Henry and he was in solitary Alice remained loyal and got Henry to realize giving up isn't the best thing and he should still have hope. The way she acted portrayed unity. In the beginning of the play Pachuco showed unity when he got everyone to realize that fighting eachother, "brown on brown crime", was just showing the white people what they wanted to see which is the mexicans wiping each other out. He helped them stay united. Also another instance in the end of Act 2 when Henry was going to strike Enrique or even walk out and he stopped himself because the family bond was going to be "irreparably broken."
Prompt #2
ReplyDeleteTo me threw out most of the play the author showed much unity. He always had the pachuco near henry's side even if henry did not want him there. The boys also stuck together when their lawyer was drafted and the shared with alice. As odd as this may sound but even the reports were united they all judged and critizised the zoot suiter all the smae.
To Jasmine Miller:
ReplyDeleteI agree with the point you are making. Two of the main supporters with the gang unity showed so strong because they were not even the same race as the guys. They were two white people so that showed the unity.
Prompt 2
ReplyDeleteAlthough there were major divisions within the racial group, the play still remained in unity. They all supported each other. The whites supported the whites and the mexicans and other minorities supported each other. The white Navy men all stuck together when they jumped Pachuco. Another example is when Henry was sent to solitary, this was a hard time for him and needed help. Pachucho was definitely there to show him the ropes and explain what the experience would be like and how to get through it. There was also unity throughout the gang , all of them stayed close through the appeal process.Although there was doubt, they all stuck together until the end.
Prompt 2
ReplyDeleteZoot suit remains a play about unity because all the characters worked together to when the appeal and concluded the play together. It took a lot of courage, energy, and effort from both George and Alice to help win the appeal. Knowing that they are white, they took a chance against society to help Henry with the case. Henry's gang and family stuck together resolving their own issues with other gangs and the sailors. Also with the help from blacks, latinos, asians, and other minorities united, they succeeded. Unity was shown deeper than it seemed.
Prompt #2
ReplyDeleteZoot Suits remains a play of unity because evn though Alice and George were white tey still poured their souls out to try to help these ungratefull kids who gave them a very hard time in some scenes.Both lawyers didn't backed up on them for any reason, and when things seemed the toughest that's when they were more with Henry and the gang. Even after George left Alice didn't backed off from their case, she maintained strong and confident. These two characters showed that our color of our skin shouldn't matter when it comes to justice, because after we are all humans with the same rights!
Prompt #2:
ReplyDeleteThe play remains about unity because Mexicans were in the Marines, and white people were Pachucos. Everyone in the Sleepy Lagoon case was united because they were trying to find justice in what they believed in, and though Alice and George were not Mexican, they still helped the boys out to make sure that this case wasn't going to be another misrepresented case. Everyone in the play was united in some way or form, either by belonging to the same gang, or by serving the country.
In regards to the unity question:
ReplyDeleteCan it be that the only "unity" evidenced is through George and Alice? And remember, being Jewish is not the same as being an anglo-saxon protestant, white male. Part of why Alice and Henry could bond was because of her struggles both as a woman and as a Jew.
There is so much generalization about the unity but little specificity from most of you. What specific instances prove your statements? When many people are writing (essentially) the same thing, with no specifics, it looks like you are all just piggy-backing on someone else's original commentary. That means = you cheated or pilfered someone else's work. Consider: How can you make your post relevant, meaningful and fresh when you are saying the same thing? You need to answer with your own detailed example!
Thank you to those of you who explored multiple layers of "unity" in the play. I enjoyed the connection Alexis made, as well, between World War II and the play (also alluded to by Bryanna). This is not to say that those who focused on the George and Alice were wrong, just that there is more to it. You must always add your own NEW IDEA, INSIGHT or ANGLE to keep the postings fresh.
ReplyDelete