Ethnic identity is dynamic and adjusts to the institutional and structural forces of dominant society. Ethnic identity may be based on a common language, ritual, or shared world views; a historical consciousness of a sequence of events and struggles that reflect continuity from the past to the future; a social awareness, seeking communal or group acceptance; a political voice. In addition, one's ethnic identity is how one regards oneself as well as how one is perceived by others.

In the short play Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez, the search for ethnic identity by the main character, Henry Reyna is made difficult through many different factors in society. In addition, his need and arrogance to fit into the social scene of the Chicano youth were reasons that blocked Henry of realizing his true self as Mexican in America rather than a foreigner in a strange land. Torn between the two antagonists, society and personal pride, Henry is prime example of both the "modern tragic hero," and the "classic tragic hero" Trying to adjust and exist as figure that claims Mexican identity.

El Pachuco, the ambiguous, "ghost-like" character of Zoot Suit, existed as the "Best friend and worst Ene

Henry is also an Example of the "classic tragic hero" who inevitably brought misery upon himself by being unable to control his overwhelming pride, a part of which is actually El Pachuco himself. Henry is convinced that being "Mexican" meant donning "drapes and joining gangs." He believed that in order to maximize his worth as Mexican, he must win more fights with other Mexican gang members, and gain prestige as a pachuco, or a displayed his machismo even in a time of crisis by being uncooperative with his lawyer, George (Valdez, 41-43), and disrespected the reporter Alice, Because she was a woman (48-51, 70-72).

But as he was reduced to nothing more than a worthless convict, he understood that there was much more to life than a victory in a gang fight, and the true enemy was not the opposing gang members, but society and the prejudice against him. When Henry was shown a glimpse of his heritage as the Aztec warrior by El Pachuco (81), he realized that nothing superficial could hide his cultural identity, including the clothes he wore, the dances he went to the friends he had, or the fights he won.

my," the mentor and tormentor of Henry Reyna. With the guidance of El Pachuco, Henry was forced to face both enemies, society and pride which had a strong hold on his well being, and in the end to come out as potential candidate as any other American to live the American dream. El Pachuco, though not a tangible character in the play, was a substantial figure in defini

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Approximate Word count = 998
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)