The conflict in “West Side Story” is driven by the love of a young man and woman on Manhattan’s West Side: a beautiful and true love, but not one powerful enough to overcome the ethnic prejudice that structures their existence. Those ethnic differences, in other words, are what drives the conflict. Or do they?
What is the setting of West Side Story?
West Side Story is the classic tragedy of Romeo & Juliet set in a modern setting. The setting is the Upper West Side of New York City in the late 1950s with conflict between rival street gangs rather than families. In the opening of the film‚ during which nearly 15 minutes pass before a real line of dialogue is spoken‚ contains some
What drives the conflict in ‘West Side Story’?
That will be a tough balancing act. The conflict in “West Side Story” is driven by the love of a young man and woman on Manhattan’s West Side: a beautiful and true love, but not one powerful enough to overcome the ethnic prejudice that structures their existence. Those ethnic differences, in other words, are what drives the conflict.
What are the two gangs in West Side Story?
West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs--the white Jets led by Riff and the Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.
What is the message of West Side Story?
West Side Story shows how racism and xenophobia create a system that dooms the youths of working class families. And unlike the typical Broadway musical of the 1950s and before, West Side Story does not offer audiences a happy ending. Just as Romeo and Juliet are born to rival families, Tony and Maria are associated with rival gangs.
What is the main theme of West Side Story?
West Side Story is truly everywhere -- and with its themes of love striving to rise above hatred; the fear of immigrants; and the toxicity of racism, West Side Story speaks to us today as urgently as ever.
What happened at the fight in West Side Story?
At first, Tony does not respond, but then a fight breaks out between them, which in turn leads to a knife-fight between the gangs. In a very heated moment, Bernardo stabs Riff and kills him—Tony is unable to control himself after this and he stabs Bernardo to death.
What are the causes of the tragedy in West Side Story?
Gangs, Peer Pressure and Values The belief systems of the Sharks and the Jets set the tragic events of West Side Story into motion.
What is the summary of West Side Story?
A musical in which a modern day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs. On the harsh streets of the upper west side, two gangs battle for control of the turf. The situation becomes complicated when a gang members falls in love with a rival's sister.West Side Story / Film synopsis
Who kills Tony in West Side Story?
Bernardo, though, insists on a fight, and so Riff eventually steps in to challenge him. The two draw knives, and in a lapse of concentration Riff is stabbed, which leads the grief-stricken Tony to retaliate by stabbing Bernardo as revenge.
What are the two conflicts in West Side Story?
The Conflict in West Side Story is the rivalry between the two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and the developing relationship between Tony of the Jets and Maria of the Sharks. This conflict ends up not being completely resolved. The two rival gangs agree to have a rumble to settle their dispute once and for all.
What is the climax of West Side Story?
At the climax of West Side Story, Maria brandishes the gun that killed her star-crossed lover, Tony, and declares that, “We all killed him,” because of the unbroken cycle of violence and hate between the two rival gangs.
Did Tony and Maria sleep together?
Things get frisky between the sheets To adults, it is clear that Maria and Tony sleep together after Tony admits he killed her brother — and they do more than simply rest their eyes.
What do Tony and Maria decide to do after the fight?
Anita tells her about the rumble, and when Tony arrives to see Maria, she warns them both that Bernardo will have a furious fit if he catches them together. Tony promises to stop the rumble and make everything right. Afterwards, he and Maria enact a wedding among the mannequins in the bridal shop.
What is decided at the war council in West Side Story?
They decide that they need to have one big rumble to settle the matter once and for all – even if winning requires fighting with knives and guns. Riff plans to have a war council with Bernardo to decide on weapons. Action wants to be his second, but Riff says that Tony is always his second.
Why do the Jets dislike the Sharks so much?
The Jets hate the Sharks because the Sharks are trying to take the Jets' land.
How does Bernardo react when he sees Maria and Tony together at the dance?
They begin to dance, but are interrupted by Bernardo, who angrily orders Maria home, and tells Tony to stay away from his sister. Tony leaves in a happy daze ("Maria") while Riff invites Bernardo to the "war council", for which they agree to meet at Doc's Candy Store.
What is the goal of the West Side Story?
The goal was to critique the language of the script and learn more about the history and culture behind the characters through a distinctly Latinx lens, rather than from the show’s original creators, who were white men. Harvard College cast members rehearse their performance of "West Side Story.".
When will West Side Story be remade?
With an upcoming revival on Broadway premiering in December and a film remake slated for release in 2020, “West Side Story” will stay relevant for years to come. (Director Steven Spielberg took pains to avoid whitewashing the cast in the upcoming movie.)
Who plays Graziella in West Side Story?
Lessons of ‘West Side Story’. Emmaline Cook '20, who plays Graziella, rehearses choreography with the cast.
Was West Side Story written by Latinos?
Harvard College cast members rehearse their performance of "West Side Story.". “Even though ‘West Side Story’ was not written by Latinos, and there are many problematic choices in the text and the movie, including brownface and the stereotyping of Puerto Rican people, there is still a lot of resonance in the text for modern Latinx people ...
Conflict In West Side Story
West Side Story is a brilliant updating of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the two warring families of Verona now two streets gangs of kids from two different immigrant cultures coexisting in one New York City neighborhood.
West Side Story Analysis
The making of West Side Story contains multiple aspects that fascinate me. Part one of the 3-part radio series explains the interesting original plan for the show, the use of cinematic movements, and the illusion of tough talk. The producers originally devised a plan that involved parties, Catholics, and Jews on the east side of New York City.
West Side Story Speech
with the corresponding character from West Side Story . You should analyse the way that characterization reflects context. Explain how each character reflects the values, attitudes and/or lifestyles within that society.
West Side Story
West Side Story In this musical, it uses several types of narratives, for example, after the fight between the Jets and Puerto Ricans, after the police leave, they enter the ally and the girl is begging to join the gang saying how much she wants to fight is a part of narrative sexuality (B 34).
West Side Story
West Side Story Day 4: 2-page essay The West Side Story portrays the lives of two different gangs living in America, as well as their beliefs and examples of living a good life. The expectations of what people consider the good life to be may vary on a person's morals and their dreams of what life is truly about.
Gang and West Side Story
the Royals was no more than 'business' if you will. The author doesn't emphasize on the unbreakable bond that the gang members felt toward each other. After evaluating some main points in West Side Story I feel that the author elaborated a lot on the inseparable bond that the Jets had with each other.
West Side Story Quotes
Josephine Tschirhart Mrs. Hughes Advanced ELA 26 May 2016 Love and Fear A pair of star-crossed lovers. Two gangs who kill. Three young boys who die. In the musical West Side Story by Arthur Laurents, there are two gangs- the Jets and the Sharks, who are constantly brawling over a block in New York City.
What is a supersummary of West Side Story?
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
When did West Side Story come out?
When West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957, it was a new kind of musical. At the time, the phrase “Broadway musical” was synonymous with “musical comedy.”. Musical theatre typically took a lighthearted approach, even when broaching serious issues. But West Side Story, perhaps one of the most famous adaptations of William Shakespeare’s Romeo ...
Is West Side Story a happy ending?
And unlike the typical Broadway musical of the 1950s and before, West Side Story does not offer audiences a happy ending. Just as Romeo and Juliet are born to rival families, Tony and Maria are associated with rival gangs. Tony is a Jet, a gang of American-born youths led by his best friend, Riff.
Does Maria kill herself in West Side Story?
But unlike Shakespeare’s Juliet, Maria doesn’t kill herself. Instead, she rebukes both gangs for the lives lost, and watches as the Sharks and the Jets come together to carry off Tony’s body. While the adults in Romeo and Juliet weep for their lost children and resolve to change and end the feud, the adults in West Side Story watch helplessly as the two gangs leave the stage at the end. The musical shows a society in which parents and law enforcement have failed to foster community, instead pitting young people against each other to fight the same battles based on the same fears that cause anti-immigrant sentiment today. West Side Story offers a powerful message to audiences: hate breeds more hate. Until violent and discriminatory social structures are dismantled, the most vulnerable members of the community will continue to suffer and die.