Lizeth Calderon

Mr.Cook
ELA-1st and 2nd
23 January 2015
3. What are the central conflicts and social issues in the play?
In the play, Zoot Suit, the central conflict and social issue is society against pachucos. We
see this conflict through all the stereotypes used in the play.
Valdezs use of stereotypes reveals the central conflicts and social issues of the play. For
example, the stereotype that people have about pachucos, being rebellious, affects the way
pachucos live and the way they are seen by white people. Also, because of the stereotypes, there
are many people, especially the police, that see pachucos differently and treat them poorly. In the
play it is first seen this when Henry is in jail with the gang.
HENRY. (Hanging back) The warden knows about this?
GUARD. What the hell do you care? You think youre something special? Come on
graseball. MOVE!
HENRY. Make me bastard!
GUARD. Oh yeah.
HENRY. Back off! BACK OFF! Dont be stupid,
GUARD. Okay Henry you got solitary! Bastard, huh? Into the hole!... (76)
This reaction between Henry and the guard clearly tells that because they are pachucos the
authority treats them as if they are not worth. Because, Henry was treated with such bad manners
he had to react, which causes more conflicts between pachucos and the society. Another example
where there is a stereotype of rebellion is at the dance. Valdez reveals this stereotype when he
writes, We hear a siren then another, and another. It sounds like gangbusters. The dance is
interrupted. Couples pause on the dance floor (27). The stereotype of rebellion is being revealed

here because the Pachucos are dancing to a certain type of music and music is what identifies
them and causes the police to have their own opinions against pachucos. When the cops go to the
dance it causes a conflict between society and pachucos. This conflict is created because the
Pachucos are not doing anything, yet the cops think they are doing something bad.All these
stereotypes about the Pachucos connects to the main conflict of society against pachucos.
Another stereotype that creates conflict is that society sees Pachucos as killers. Valdez
demonstrates the conflict between society and pachucos through the conversation of Pachuco and
Henry.
PACHUCO. Que mamada, Hank. Thats exactly what the play needs right now. Two
more Mexicans killing each others. Watcha Everybodys looking at you.
HENRY. (looks at the audience) Dont give me that bullshit. Either I kill him or he kills
me.
PACHUCO. Thats exactly what they pay to see. Think about it. (46)
When Pachuco tells Henry that people went to the play to see Mexicans kill each other, it
demonstrates that the stereotypes that the society has towards the pachucos is that they are
killers. When Pachuco says, Thats exactly what the play needs right now. Two more Mexicans
killing each other it demonstrates that white people have stereotypes towards the pachucos.
Another example that uses a stereotype to cause a conflict between pachucos and the society, is
when they are interviewing Della in the trial.
PRESS.Did Henry had a blackjack in his hand?
DELLA. No
PRESS. A switchblade knife?
DELLA. No

PRESS. A two-by-four?
DELLA. No
PRESS. Did he ran over to Jose Williams, hit him on the head and kill him? (60)
When the Press is asking Della this question it is demonstrating that the authoritys stereotype
against pachucos is being killers.
Another example of stereotype that Valdez uses for pachucos, is being uneducated or
unprofessional. This stereotype is revealed when they are in the trial and George is trying to
defend Henry.
GEORGE. Three months your honor
PRESS.the thick heavy heads of hair, the ducktail comb, the pachuco pants
GEORGE. Your Honor, I can only infer that the prosecution is trying to make these
boys look bad disreputable, like mobsters.
PRESS. Their appearance is distinctive, Your Honor. Essential to the case. (53)
When they are at the trial the press is trying to use their appearance against Henry and his gang.
The use of stereotype based on the pachucos appearance causes a conflict between pachucos and
society because the Press is trying to say that the pachucos do not have any rights because of the
way they dress.