![]() ![]() The boys feel more formidable when the other boys put on the zoot suit because it gives a sense of brotherhood and community. Therefore, the boys looks up to Pachuco as a genuine symbol of what they are fighting for. In the end, El Pachuco states he is, “…the ideal of the original chuco was to look like a diamond to look sharp hip bonarro” (Valdez 2.6.16). Even more, El Pachuco, who dons the zoot suit, epitomizes the Chicano spirit because he reminds Henry Reyna to not waver from trying to gain respect from the police. The boys use the zoot suit as a uniform symbolizing the ideology of a group of individuals fighting for common goal which was Chicano pride. The zoot suit gives the boys the confidence and swagger to gain esteem from their fellow boys and the Downey gang, a rival group. Rather than hiding, El Pachuco displays himself as if he is a radiate gem that all can fawn over because he dresses in style, and therefore should commands respect. He describes putting on a zoot suit, “…makes feel real root look like a diamond, sparkling, shinning…” (Valdez 1.1.3). In the beginning of the play, El Pachuco, who is Henry Reyna’s alter ego, expresses his appreciation and passion for the zoot suit. The zoot suit helps many chicano boys of the Thirty-eighth Street Gang identify themselves with the other boys as they face discrimination and aggression from the Downey Gang and police officers. ![]()
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