West Side Story Character Analysis

In the musical West Side Story, the portrayal of the “Jets” and the “Sharks” highlight the issues of race and ethnicity that impact the formation of identity. In an article, “On Broadway”, Sylviane Gold argues that “musicals have reflected and perpetuated the racial rifts and injustices of American society” (81). West Side Story brings across the racial and ethnic divide of an America dealing with issues of identity and an influx of immigrants both in terms of its presentation of the character as well as the influence behind these characters.
At first glance, the most obvious issue brought across by the musical would be that of colour. From the opening, ‘the Sharks are Puerto Ricans, the Jets an anthology of what is called “American”’ (137).

An American identity, or any national identity for that matter, should not be ruled by a racial hierarchy, especially as the world becomes increasingly globalized. Be it to reconcile a colonial past, to overcome a fear of foreigners or simply to learn acceptance, West Side Story, in bringing up a juxtaposition of colour, and even questioning whiteness itself, shows how America is made of groups of unique individuals that, and reminds the audience that, unless reconciled, will only continue the tragedy of the characters in the West Side Story. The call for peace demonstrates how national identity can be more than skin colour and beliefs, but a people brought together by a common goal, working together to reach it, and personal identification is not about conforming, but about being accepting of differences and seeing the good in