Ethnic Identity and the Pursuit of Happiness
Ethnic Identity and the Pursuit of Happiness Ethnic identity is dynamic and adjusts to the institutional and structural forces of dominant society. Ethnic identity may be based on a common language, ritual, or shared world views; a historical consciousness of a sequence of events and struggles that reflect continuity from the past to the future; a social awareness, seeking communal or group acceptance; a political voice. In addition, one's ethnic identity is how one regards oneself as well as how one is perceived by others. In the short play Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, the search for ethnic identity by the main character, Henry Reyna is made difficult through many different factors in society. In addition, his need and arrogance to fit into the social scene of the Chicano youth were reasons that blocked Henry of realizing his true self as Mexican in America rather than a foreigner in a strange land. Torn between the two antagonists, society and personal pride, Henry is prime example of both the "modern tragic hero," and the "classic tragic hero" Trying to adjust and exist as figure that claims Mexican identity. El Pachuco, the ambiguous, "ghost-like" character of Zoot Suit, existed as the "Best friend and worst Ene
Henry and his friends were also discriminated by the judiciary when they were forbade of clean clothes or haircuts (52), leaving them looking untidy and barbaric to the public, and thus, consequently kept them from a fair trial. Henry Reyna" is further symbolically confirmed when the prosecutor for the trial actually turns out to be the press (52-64). Thus, Henry is subjected to the role of the "modern tragic hero" as society as whole has contempt for him, denying him even the right to serve in the Navy. But as he was reduced to nothing more than a worthless convict, he understood that there was much more to life than a victory in a gang fight, and the true enemy was not the opposing gang members, but society and the prejudice against him. El Pachuco, who engaged himself in the task of guiding Henry towards the path of true Mexican identity, provoked Henry's pride from time to time, but allowed Henry to mature as he faced a society that did not hesitate to show its dislike of him. When Henry and his friends are arrested for simply being at the scene of a fight that arose at a dance, the antipathy of the police was displayed since the only reason for his arrest seemed to have been "some phony rap (Valdez, 29). After his release from jail, Henry was faced with the decision on how he would start the rest of his future (87-94). my," the mentor and tormentor of Henry Reyna. " But like Henry's "white" pachucos (68) despite his personal heritage, identity is a matter of choice. Most of the time, he acted as Henry's alter ego, often playing pivotal role in the final decision of Henry's actions. The placement of the stack of newspapers meant that Henry was tapped by the hysteria and prejudice against Chicanos caused by the misleading reporting of the press. Henry's goal to fight for his country conflicted with the reality of prejudice when society wished to see the demise of the "zootsuiters," a group of Mexican youths who went dancing in fancy suits. With the guidance of El Pachuco, Henry was forced to face both enemies, society and pride which had a strong hold on his well being, and in the end to come out as potential candidate as any other American to live the American dream.
Common topics in this essay:
El Pachuco,
Mexican Henry,
Henry Reyna,
Happiness Ethnic,
Pachuco Henry,
Rodolfo Gonzalez,
George Valdez,
Mexican America,
Navy Henry's,
Henry's Father,
el pachuco,
ethnic identity,
tragic hero,
henry reyna,
henry friends,
el pachuco henry,
mexican identity,
main character,
character henry,
zoot suit,
pachuco henry,
classic tragic hero,
character henry reyna,
main character henry,
modern tragic hero,
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Acceptance Essays
