Edgar Escobedo

Mr. Cook
Honors ELA
1/28/15
Theyre going to charge me with some phony rap and keep me until they make
something sticks (29). Henry Reyna has been living with this mindset for his whole life. Zoot
Suit by Luis Valdez is about Henry Reyna, the gang leader of the 38th Street Gang, and he faces
the trial of a murder case. In the play, Valdez uses Henry Reynas stubbornness to drive conflict
between him and Dolores, George, and Pachuco which ultimately foreshadows Henrys future.
In the beginning of the play, Henry opposes Dolores idea that he should stop wearing
zoot suits. Henry Reyna gets arrested after attending a dance. After he gets released, Dolores, his
mother, attempts to persuade Henry to drop the Pachuco lifestyle because the cops assume that
he is involved in criminal acts.
DOLORES. God knows how I suffer la pena negra seeing you go out every night.
HENRY. This isnt just any night, jefa. Its my last chance to use my tacuche.
DOLORES. Tacuche? Pero tu padre
HENRY. I know what mi apa said, ama. Im going to wear it anyway.
DOLORES. Mira, hijo. I know you work hard for you clothes. And I know how
much they mean to you. Pero por diosito santo, I just dont know what you see en
esa cochinada. (33)
Henrys obstinacy evidently creates pressure between him and Dolores. She believes that he
should stop wearing his zoot suit but he says it is his last night to wear it.
This confrontation between Henry and Dolores foreshadows Henrys future because he
gets arrested again for a murder that happened after a fight between the 38th Street Gang and
Williams Ranch. That night Henry was wearing his zoot suit once again.

In Act 1, Scene 6,Valdez creates a confrontation between Henry and George. George
presents himself as a peoples lawyer. Henrys response to Georges attempt to help is in a
negative, disrespectful way. His attitude comes from his stubbornness to receive help, especially
from a gringo. Valdez uses the social dispute over races as well as Henrys stubbornness to
precipitate an argument between the two.
GEORGE.You must be Henry Reyna.
HENRY. What if I am...So what does this mean? You doing this for free or what?
GEORGE. I try not to work for free.
HENRY.You still didnt answer my question, mister. Whos paying you?
GEORGE. Well, Henry, its really none of your damned business.
HENRY. Sabes qu, mister? Dont do us any favors.
GEORGE. All right, you want another lawyer.
JOEY. Where are you going?
SMILEY. Lets give him a break, Hank.
GEORGE. Public opinion comes and goes...What matters is our system of justice.
The question is, Henry, will you trust me?
HENRY. Why should I? You're a gringo. (41-43)
George wants to help Henry because he knows that he will be able to win the case.
This interaction between Henry and George foreshadows Henrys future because later in
the conversation, Henrys response to Georges question of, Will you help me? with Okay.
This foreshadows Henrys future because eventually, George and Alice win the case and Henry
and his friends are released.
Although throughout the story, Henrys stubbornness has always been in a negative way,
Valdez uses the discussion between Henry and Pachuco to demonstrate how Henrys

stubbornness can also be in a positive way. While in solitary confinement Henry confronted
Pachuco.
HENRY. Solitary, ese they gave me solitary.
PACHUCO. Better get used to it, carnal. Youre in here for life, bato.
HENRY. I cant accept it, ese.
PACHUCO. Youve got to, Hank only this place is real now.
HENRY. Theres still a chance Ill get out.
PACHUCO. Fat chance.
HENRY. Dont tell me anymore. I dont need you to tell me what to do. Fuck off!
FUCK OFF! (77-78)
Pachuco represents Henrys negative side. The fact that Henry does not let Pachuco get to him
demonstrates how his stubbornness helped him, even though if Pachuco is his conscience. The
battle that Henry had with Pachuco foreshadows Henrys future because he gets out of jail. His
stubbornness allowed for him to persevere through a difficult time in his life.
In Zoot Suit, Luis Valdez uses arguments between Henry and George, Dolores, and
Pachuco to create conflict in the story. These conflicts foreshadow forthcoming events that will
happen to Henry, such as him getting into jail and getting out of jail as well.

Work Cited
Valdez, Luis. Zoot Suit. Houston:Arte Publico Press, 1992. Print