west side story plot analysis

summary

1. Explain the roles of the gangs and how they felt about each other.

the gangs represented the two families in romeo and juliet and in both represent a feeling of fear and resentment towards something that is different to each other but at the same time are so similar.

2. Why do you think it would have been difficult for Maria and Tony to be in love?

their love was limited by the fact that they belonged to warring families. if they did get past that problem, there was still the interracial problem that the two may have faced on the larger scale, given that such a thing is still looked down upon today.

3. What differences between the groups creates problems between them? 

i personally think it is what makes them similar that creates the problems. they are both gangs that are looking for a place to call home and as such there is competition between the two. but racial and cultural differences also contribute to their anger, and the fact that the sharks are part of a minority creates resentment towards those who seem more priveliged.