West Side Story

Plot Questions

1. What are the names of the two gangs, and who are their leaders?

2. Which Jet is Riffs best friend (he works at the local grocery store)?

3. How does the dance chaperone try to get the Sharks and Jets to mingle?

4. Who falls in love at the dance?

5. Where do Tony and Maria talk after the dance? (later that evening after they
both leave)

6. What is the name of the officer who always gives the Jets a hard time?

7. What does Tony suggest for the rumble?

8. What does Maria ask Tony to do about the rumble?

9. The rumble was supposed to be between Ice and Bernando, but who does
Bernando actually end up fighting (and eventually killing)?

10.Once Riff dies, what does Tony do?

11.Who tells Maria about Bernardo?

12.Where are Maria and Tony going to meet (before running away together?)

13.When Anita goes to Docs, what does she say happened to Maria?
 West Side Story
14.What does Tony do once he hears about what happened to Maria?

15.Who dies in Marias arms?

Comprehension Questions

Opera or Musical?

1. Which do you prefer? Why?

The Musical Rule

2. The musical rule states that when the emotion gets too high for speech,
you sing, and when its too high for song, you dance. Did West Side Story
follow this rule? Give at least two examples one where they sang, and one
where they danced. (You dont have to name the song by title, just explain
what was happening.) What was the emotion they were expressing?

Literary Reflection

3. Think about what you know about the story Romeo and Juliet. Give two
examples of how that story lined up with West Side Story. (there are literally
TONS of examples!!)