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Rudy
The judge who presides over Henry and his friends’ trial is played by the same actor who portrays Lieutenant Edwards. This is an early indication in the play that he will be biased against the members of the 38th Street Gang, since Edwards is quite prejudiced against the Chicano community. In keeping with this, the judge makes it easy for the public prosecutor to take liberties while questioning witnesses. He also makes a number of racist and unfair rulings, to which the gang’s lawyer, George, objects, though the judge never pays much attention to George’s complaints. In fact, he doesn’t even care when George cites him for misconduct. Interestingly enough, these instances of misconduct are what enable George to build a strong case when he appeals the jury’s initial guilty verdict.
The Judge Quotes in Zoot Suit
The Zoot Suit quotes below are all either spoken by The Judge or refer to The Judge. 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 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.
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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?
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The Judge Quotes in Zoot Suit
The Zoot Suit quotes below are all either spoken by The Judge or refer to The Judge. 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 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.
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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:
