The Role of "La Chicana," the Way It's View Among Society in "Zoot-Suit"

In this film, "Zoot-Suit," there are several occasions where the role of "La Chicana" and the way it's view among society is define as submissive, and with a higher implemented morality than that of men. And there's also a contradiction among society between the expected sexual behavior of "La Chicana," and the desires and needs of men.

In the scene where all the Chicanos and only a few Caucasians were dancing, the men viewed "La Chicana" as a sexual object. We can see this when the men sexually harassed the women there, grabbing their buttocks on several occasions.

Secondly, when Henry and his girlfriend were at the lagoon inside the car. They were kissing, and suddenly Henry wants to get out of the car. He tells her to get off the car. In this scene it's obvious that she's really into the kissing, but its what he wants to do that matters. Instead of asking his girlfriend if she would like to get out of the car, he orders her to do it. And she obeys him without objecting. This is an example of being submissive.

Also, in "Zoot-Suit," when Henry tells his girlfriend to get in the back seat of the car if she wants to be like this other girl, who according to the movie, is a "slut." That's viewing "La Chicana's" role as how a woman should behave sexually. It categorizes the Chicana's sexual role to obtain highly develop standards. Otherwise, she will be considered a "slut."

But at the same time, there's a contradiction because Henry, I'm sure he pretty much enjoyed having sexual relationships with the other girl. So in a way, men want to have that kind of a woman for their own pleasures and desires. We also can see the contradiction when men were sexually harassing women at the dance club, but at the same time they enforce women's sexual role as to be "immaculate."

Then, at the scene where Henry's in jail and the lawyer's female assistant is trying to help him, Henry starts seeing her more as a partner, or lover than as a professional individual that wants to help him get out of jail. This scene defines women as men sees "La Chicana," as a sexual object and not as a person capable of being intelligent and professional.

Overall, the film, "Zoot-Suit portrays the role of "La Chicana" as submissive and immaculate. But at the same time a woman's sexual role is to be available for a man's needs and desires. These were only a few examples that the film demonstrated on how men rule society. Accordingly, it influences the relationship between men (Chicanao) and women (Chicana).