Zoot Suit Lesson Plan

What is the role of El Pachuco? What does his role remind you of from other plays? What might you guess will be his significance throughout the play?

El Pachuco seems to partially play the role of the “all-knowing chorus.” He addresses the audience at the beginning of the play and continues to break the fourth wall at other points as well. His role is similar to that of the chorus in classical Greek plays, as well as in many of Shakespeare’s plays. For example, the chorus in Romeo and Juliet begins the play with an address to the audience, just as El Pachuco does here. You might also compare him to the Stage Manager in Our Town. In addition to his role as the chorus, El...