Zoot Suit

Zoot Suit

by

Luis Valdez

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Zoot Suit makes teaching easy.

Zoot Suit: Act 2, Scene 1: San Quentin Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
In prison, Henry reads aloud a letter to his family. As he does so, El Pachuco points out that it sounds quite dismal and sad, but Henry ignores him, going on to explain to his family members how much he and his friends look forward to receiving letters from the outside. They eagerly await the delivery of their mail each day, even though their letters have been pre-opened and screened by the guards.
By this point in the play, Henry has virtually no freedom, since even his letters are censored by white authorities. Indeed, there is nothing he can do without encountering disapproving white people who are devoted to making his life harder. Under these circumstances, it’s easy to see that it would be quite difficult to feel in control of one’s own life—after all, Henry can’t even choose the way he presents himself to others anymore, since the censors are liable to change what he tells his family members about his life in prison.
Themes
Self-Presentation and Cultural Identity Theme Icon