West Side Story

Point out how the general setting of the play is established. Give at least two examples.

The play West Side Story takes place in a suburb on the West Side of New York City. We can conclude that we are talking about a socially disadvantaged suburb as the surrounding area is described with high brick walls, not very attractive and by the presence of the two gangs – the Jets and the Sharks.

We are also able to say in which time period the actions take place. As an indicator we are using the dance at the gym in Act I,Scene 4, where Tony and Maria first meet. At this dance everyone is dancing the jitterbug just as the jive. Both were popular during the 1940`s and 1950`s.

We should also mention that it is summer. Otherwise typical autumn or winter weather would have been mentioned and/or the gangs possibly would not set the rumble outside.

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Outline the typical features of the society depicted.

First we meet the Jets. They are a group of polish ancestry, all born in America therefore representing the american part. The group itself represents some kind of close belonging-together in which no outsider is allowed to enter. Even for Anybodys, who desperately wants to be accepted within the group, the access is somehow denied. This also shows some sort of hierarchy the Jets follow. Despite the hierarchy the members of the Jets behave more or less the same. They see the memebers as superior individuals especially when comparing with the Sharks or their own family. For example do they express themselves on their parents: “our mothers all are junkies, our fathers all are drunks” ( Act II, Scene 2).

No matter what when it comes to the “spics” they feel the membership to “their race” (- the Americans ) for example do they make the immigrants responsible for the bad economical situation some of them are in (Act I, Scene 1).

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The second group we meet is the Sharks. They are all immigrants from Puerto Rico who all came to find a better life. They feel especially disadvantaged and believe this is due to their place of birth. Bernardo, who is the leader of the Sharks and Maria`s older brother seems to be in control of everything. It also appears as if he is more dominant than his parents possibly because they are, just like he is, immigrants but less adapted to the new situation.

Both groups are struggling for survival in the streets and their social lives. Certain similarities can be found even though they would never admit to these.

Many of the above mentioned aspects are typical prejudices and therefore named as typical features of the society (in this case the society consists of the Jets and the Sharks).

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Examine the primary desires/hopes/agonies & terrors of one of the main characters and compare them with those of Gatsby.

One of the protagonists of West Side Story is Tony. We learn that Tony is one of the founders of the Jets. No matter what he might have had in the gang in the past he left his “buddies” some time ago. What is important is that even though he no longer appears to be an active member of the Jets he still is accepted and - what is even more - respected by the other members. His presence is important for them at the dance, as well is his decision concerning the rumble.

He left the gang because he is dreaming of something special, something he is not able to describe when talking to Riff in Act I, Scene 2.

What is interesting to see is that he is not looking for wealth, not for material things. As soon as he gets to know Maria he seems to have found some part of what he is longing for. He does not mind any cultural differences between him and his love. He knows there are difficulties he and Maria have to face when being together but he is living his dream pretending to be able to push all problems aside. Assumingly Tony´s desire is to live life to the fullest – within specific border - preferably with someone he loves.

Then we got Gatsby who is - as well - living within his illusions. In contrast to Tony he really tries to show off, to be “looked at without being seen”. He shows his material wealth in order to impress one special person – Daisy. He surrounds himself with people he does not know and who do not know him. Due to his poor origin he might have experienced refusal. He no longer wants to be no one. Possibly he is also afraid of being alone even though he does not need to know the people around him. Supposingly his fear is being rejected.

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Evaluate which constituent elements of the American Dream are reflected in the play.

One constituent element of the American Dream is the expansion of the American Nation and development and spread of the American culture. As the Puertoricans enter the United States they come with all their traditions as well as their language (examples are given within the text when brackets of spanish are spoken) even though they do adapt in some way. This struggle to keep “America alive” can be seen by the struggle Jets against Sharks.

Another element is the success everyone is able to achieve in America. Somehow it is shown in the play that this is not really true. We have to stick to the sources, in this case Bernardo, who tells us that Chino earns less than Tony due to the fact that Tony was born in America and Chino was not ( Act I, Scene 5).

The ability to live in peace and harmony without being threatened should not be left out from this list. Tony and Maria are obviously not able to do so. Also when Anita enters the shop to leave a message for Tony is she treated with disrespect. This, as well as blaming Maria for not sticking “with her own kind” might lead to her telling a lie.

One aspect going along with the preceding statements, being of great importance especially in this play, is the equality of all people living in the United States. In no part of the play do the different cultural groups seem to be equal unless in the end when Tony is killed. Only because of her hate does Maria give the impression of everyone in the scene being equal. In all other scenes everyone is treated according to their descent. The Jets are treated differently by the police and – as we are told within the society - as the Sharks are.

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