West Side Story: Through the Lens of Race, Class, and GenderSyllabus

West Side Story is a classic musical masterpiece that captivated audiences with its captivating plot, colorful ensemble of characters, and upbeat score when it made its Broadway debut in 1957. This musical, which draws inspiration from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, delves deeply into problems of race, class, and gender in urban America, going beyond its romantic origins. 

By examining the film through critical lenses of race, class, and gender, the musical West Side Story provides a potent reflection on the persistent socioeconomic injustices and conflicts that persist among poor people. Apart from mirroring the political environment of its era, West Side Story retains its relevance for modern viewers, motivating them to resist and challenge repressive and unfair systems.(Parsons & Parsons, 2023)

In order to completely understand the relevance of “West Side Story,” one must familiarize themselves with both the important technical concepts that support the story and the historical setting. The opera was created during an unstable period in American history when gender conventions were changing, racial segregation was common, and economic inequality was widespread. While the Civil Rights Movement and the Feminist Movement gained popularity, “West Side Story” offered a compelling storyline and an effective platform for discussing these important social issues. The 1950s saw a great deal of social and cultural transformation in America. World War II brought about suburbanization, a rise in consumer culture, and economic success. (Scott, 2021). Underneath societal disparities and inequalities existed, regardless of the looking wealth of the post-war time.   

In addition, the problems of urbanization and immigration affected American communities. In cities like New York, a mingling pot of cultures formed as immigrants arrived in the US seeking better prospects from all over the world. However, discrimination and marginalization were regular occurrences for these immigrant groups, particularly communities of color.

During this period of societal conflict and change, “West Side Story” surfaced as a revolutionary piece of musical theater. The musical, which was created by Jerome Robbins and featured lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and music by Leonard Bernstein, placed Shakespeare’s well-known story of lovers who cross paths on the grimy streets of 1950s New York City. Through its depiction of urban gang warfare, “West Side Story” exposed viewers to the gloomy realities of inner-city living in America.

One of the most important concepts that supports the story in “West Side Story” is race. The musical examines the racial tensions that exist between the Sharks, a Puerto Rican immigrant gang, and the Jets, a mostly white American gang. The musical highlights the common hatred and bias that defined 1950s America through their encounters and confrontations. The rivalry between the two gangs highlights the difficulties minority communities confront in metropolitan settings and acts as an example of larger societal conflicts.

“West Side Story ” offers criticism on 1950s American racial tensions and prejudice. The rivalry between the Sharks and the Jets is a microcosm of wider socio economic divides. Through songs like “America ” and visuals showing the gang rivalry, the musical highlights the widespread prejudice and persecution minority communities experience in metropolitan settings. The way that “West Side Story” depicts racial relations provides fascinating details about the difficulties associated with adapting and feeling a part of a varied community.

Another critical term explored in “West Side Story” is class. The economic divide between the wealthy Upper West Siders and the working-class immigrants living in New York City’s slums is portrayed in the musical. Individuals from diverse economies, such as Tony and Maria, must negotiate the difficulties presented by class disparity and the complexities of social mobility. The musical reveals the harsh reality of poverty and the challenges associated with achieving upward mobility in metropolitan America. While illustrating the challenges and hardships faced by Latino immigrants, West Side Story also makes numerous allusions to Puerto Rican stereotypes.The writers of the musical depict Puerto Rican men as poverty-stricken, violent, uneducated gang members and the women as loud and sassy (“Exploring the Latino Metropolis: West Side Story”).

The financial disparity that exists between the Upper West Side’s wealthy citizens and the working-class immigrants living in New York City’s neighborhoods highlights the movie “West Side Story’s” topic of class struggle. Tony and Maria are examples of characters that successfully negotiate the difficulties of social mobility and the obstacles posed by class disparity. The opera portrays characters who struggle with social expectations and restricted options, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and the desire for upward mobility. “West Side Story” envisions a society in which economic status boundaries are removed through songs like “Somewhere,” highlighting the desire for a better life that exists regardless of one’s origins.

“West Side Story” also questions conventional gender norms and expectations. In a world where men rule, characters like Anita and Maria challenge assumptions and claim independence.  The musical encourages gender equality and gives women the confidence to overcome social norms via their stories.Further, the musical portrays the prevalent discrimination and sexism of the time, particularly in the manner it portrays the interactions between the female characters and their male counterparts.”West Side Story’s Representation of Women and Race/Ethnicity (1961 and 2021).”

“West Side Story” questions gender norms and expectations, especially with the help of characters like Maria and Anita. Defied by misconceptions and asserting her agency in a world ruled by men, Anita is shown as a strong, independent woman. Despite being presented as innocent and sheltered at first, Maria eventually declares her independence and defies constrictive gender standards. Through their narratives, “West Side Story” advocates for gender equality and empowers women to break free from societal constraints.

The Shark girls and Anita perform the song “America” during the first act of “West Side Story”. It takes place in an argument between the American and Puerto Rican immigrant characters, bringing attention to the conflicts and differences between their two cultures.”America” delves into the intricacies of cultural identity while offering a realistic depiction of the immigrant experience, based on the elements of race and ethnicity. The lyrics address topics of racism, injustice, and the pursuit of the American Dream by contrasting the romanticized view of America with the hard realities faced by Puerto Rican immigrants. Based on class, concerns of inequality in society are also addressed in the song, as the main characters argue over the advantages of living in America vs going back to Puerto Rico. The lyrics highlight the difficulties of social mobility and assimilation by reflecting the financial hardships encountered by immigrant populations and their hopes for a brighter life. Finally, speaking of gender, “America” provides insights into the complex issues of gender within immigrant communities, even though its primary themes are those of race and class. Anita defies gender norms and biases with her energetic performance, which highlights the fortitude and resilience of women in the face of hardship.

“Somewhere” is an emotional styled music that occurs towards the end of “West Side Story” and is performed by Tony and Maria. It acts as a ray of hope for peace and reconciliation among the pain and violence that the musical portrays.  “Somewhere” presents an idealized society in which racial and ethnic differences are eliminated and everyone coexists together. Beyond racial and ethnic boundaries, the lyrics reflect a desire for a place where “there’s a place for us,” imagining a society of harmony and inclusion. The song “Somewhere” relates to the universal need for social justice and equality even though it does not specifically address issues of class. Instead, its message of hope and reconciliation does. The song expresses the hope for a better world in which people are assessed on the content of their character rather than their riches or rank. Similar to this, “Somewhere” does not specifically address gender dynamics, but audiences of all genders can relate to its themes of love and empathy. In the song, Maria and Tony are portrayed as change agents who fight against social norms and work to create a society that is more caring and inclusive.

“West Side Story” continues to be regarded by audiences as a significant and topical musical theater production. By means of its analysis of race, class, and gender themes within the framework of a captivating story, the musical offers perceptive viewpoints into the social dynamics of 1950s America and their enduring impact on contemporary culture. With its ageless themes and upbeat score, “West Side Story” challenges audiences to acknowledge historical injustices and strive for a more just future. 

Work Cited Page 

Parsons, L., & Parsons, L. (2023, November 9). Lessons of ‘West Side Story.’ Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/11/west-side-story-explores-racial-ethnic-political-complications/

Scott, A. O. (2021, December 8). ‘West Side story’ review: In love and war, 1957 might be tonight. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/movies/west-side-story-review.html

“Exploring the Latino Metropolis: West Side Story.” Exploring the Latino Metropolis: A Brief Urban Cultural History of US Latinos, https://scalar.usc.edu/works/latino-metropolis-a-brief-urban-cultural-history-of-us-latinos—1/west-side-story—niece.

“Representation of Women and Race/Ethnicity in West Side Story (1961 and 2021).” Jmu.edu, https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/latinamericafilm/2022/04/25/representation-of-women/ Livejournal.com, https://westsidestory.livejournal.com/163925.html?