Previous
Alice Bloomfield
George is an attorney who wants to defend Henry and the other members of the 38th Street Gang in court. A kind man who believes in the importance of upholding justice and fighting racism, he has trouble at first understanding why Henry finds it hard to accept his support. However, George eventually proves to Henry that he only wants what’s best for him, and George becomes a successful white ally, despite his slight inability to fully step out of his own perspective to consider why Henry is initially hesitant to embrace him. He also introduces Henry to Alice Bloomfield, who plays an important role in changing how the public views the Chicano community. In court, George stands up to the judge and the public prosecutor whenever they reveal their biases, and though this doesn’t convince the jury to acquit Henry and the others, his citations of misconduct (aimed at the judge) make it possible for him to mount a strong appeal, which is what leads to the 38th Street Gang’s eventual release from prison.
George Shearer Quotes in Zoot Suit
The Zoot Suit quotes below are all either spoken by George Shearer or refer to George Shearer. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, Scene 6: The People’s Lawyer
Quotes
GEORGE: […] The problem seems to be that I look like an Anglo to you. What if I were to tell you that I had Spanish blood in my veins? That my roots go back to Spain, just like yours? What if I’m an Arab? What if I’m a Jew? What difference does it make? The question is, will you let me help you?
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 1, Scene 9: Opening of the Trial
Quotes
PRESS: (Jumping in.) Your Honor, there is testimony we expect to develop that the 38th Street Gang are characterized by their style of haircuts…
GEORGE: Three months, Your Honor.
PRESS: …the thick heavy heads of hair, the ducktail comb, the pachuco pants...
GEORGE: Your Honor, I can only infer that the Prosecution…is trying to make these boys look disreputable, like mobsters.
PRESS: Their appearance is distinctive. Your Honor. Essential to the case.
GEORGE: You are trying to exploit the fact that these boys look foreign in appearance! Yet clothes like these are being worn by kids all over America.
PRESS: Your Honor…
JUDGE: (Bangs the gavel.) I don’t believe we will have any difficulty if their clothing becomes dirty.
GEORGE: What about the haircuts. Your Honor?
JUDGE: (Ruling.) The zoot haircuts will be retained throughout the trial for purposes of identification of defendants by witnesses.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 1, Scene 11: The Conclusion of Trial
Quotes
PRESS: (Springing to the attack.) You say Henry Reyna hit the man with his fist. (Indicates HENRY standing.) Is this the Henry Reyna?
DELLA: Yes. I mean, no. He’s Henry, but he didn’t ...
PRESS: Please be seated. (HENRY sits.) Now, after Henry Reyna hit the old man with his closed fist, is that when he pulled the knife?
DELLA: The old man had the knife.
PRESS: So Henry pulled one out, too?
GEORGE: (Rises.) Your Honor, I object to counsel leading the witness.
PRESS: I am not leading the witness.
GEORGE: You are.
PRESS: I certainly am not.
GEORGE: Yes, you are.
JUDGE: I would suggest, Mr. Shearer, that you look up during the noon hour just what a leading question is?
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
GEORGE: […] All the prosecution has been able to prove is that these boys wear long hair and zoot suits. And all the rest has been circumstantial evidence, hearsay and war hysteria. The prosecution has tried to lead you to believe that they are some kind of inhuman gangsters. Yet they are Americans. Find them guilty of anything more serious than a juvenile bout of fisticuffs, and you will condemn all American youth. Find them guilty of murder, and you will murder the spirit of racial justice in America.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Zoot Suit LitChart as a printable PDF.
George Shearer Quotes in Zoot Suit
The Zoot Suit quotes below are all either spoken by George Shearer or refer to George Shearer. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, Scene 6: The People’s Lawyer
Quotes
GEORGE: […] The problem seems to be that I look like an Anglo to you. What if I were to tell you that I had Spanish blood in my veins? That my roots go back to Spain, just like yours? What if I’m an Arab? What if I’m a Jew? What difference does it make? The question is, will you let me help you?
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 1, Scene 9: Opening of the Trial
Quotes
PRESS: (Jumping in.) Your Honor, there is testimony we expect to develop that the 38th Street Gang are characterized by their style of haircuts…
GEORGE: Three months, Your Honor.
PRESS: …the thick heavy heads of hair, the ducktail comb, the pachuco pants...
GEORGE: Your Honor, I can only infer that the Prosecution…is trying to make these boys look disreputable, like mobsters.
PRESS: Their appearance is distinctive. Your Honor. Essential to the case.
GEORGE: You are trying to exploit the fact that these boys look foreign in appearance! Yet clothes like these are being worn by kids all over America.
PRESS: Your Honor…
JUDGE: (Bangs the gavel.) I don’t believe we will have any difficulty if their clothing becomes dirty.
GEORGE: What about the haircuts. Your Honor?
JUDGE: (Ruling.) The zoot haircuts will be retained throughout the trial for purposes of identification of defendants by witnesses.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 1, Scene 11: The Conclusion of Trial
Quotes
PRESS: (Springing to the attack.) You say Henry Reyna hit the man with his fist. (Indicates HENRY standing.) Is this the Henry Reyna?
DELLA: Yes. I mean, no. He’s Henry, but he didn’t ...
PRESS: Please be seated. (HENRY sits.) Now, after Henry Reyna hit the old man with his closed fist, is that when he pulled the knife?
DELLA: The old man had the knife.
PRESS: So Henry pulled one out, too?
GEORGE: (Rises.) Your Honor, I object to counsel leading the witness.
PRESS: I am not leading the witness.
GEORGE: You are.
PRESS: I certainly am not.
GEORGE: Yes, you are.
JUDGE: I would suggest, Mr. Shearer, that you look up during the noon hour just what a leading question is?
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
GEORGE: […] All the prosecution has been able to prove is that these boys wear long hair and zoot suits. And all the rest has been circumstantial evidence, hearsay and war hysteria. The prosecution has tried to lead you to believe that they are some kind of inhuman gangsters. Yet they are Americans. Find them guilty of anything more serious than a juvenile bout of fisticuffs, and you will condemn all American youth. Find them guilty of murder, and you will murder the spirit of racial justice in America.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
