In the musical "West Side Story" (1961), directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, the use of the color red and its various shades, particularly in the scene featuring the song "America," serves as a visual metaphor for the characters' evolving sense of Americanness and their adaptation to the cultural fabric of the United States.
"America" is a musical number where the Puerto Rican girls, led by Anita, and the Puerto Rican boys, known as the Sharks, discuss their life in America versus Puerto Rico. Girls in the scene wear dresses in various shades of red, from bold red to soft pinks. The color red has a lot of symbolism, representing passion, love, and warmth, but in the context of "America," it has more layers. The red worn by the Puerto Rican girls is a visual representation of their journey towards Americanization, as they embrace and adapt to the culture of their new homeland.
The color red on the girls' dresses symbolize their assimilation into American society. The use of different shades of red also suggests a spectrum of experiences and perspectives among the girls, highlighting the diversity within the immigrant community as they navigate the challenges of adapting to a new country.
As the girls enthusiastically sing about the opportunities and freedom that America affords them, the red dresses become a visual manifestation of their perception of an idealized American dream.
Maria further emphasizes the symbolism of red. She expresses her desire to wear a red dress, marking a symbolic departure from her traditional values and a step towards embracing the American way of life. As Lauren Davine argues in Could We Not Dye It Red at Least?”: Color and Race in West Side Story, "Maria’s desire to dye her dress red is not only expressive of her wanting to be more grown-up, it is also expressive of her desire to assimilate into American culture."
Maria's wanting to have a red dress signals her journey towards adapting to life in America and her newfound sense of agency in shaping her identity.
In contrast, the Puerto Rican boys, express a more nuanced view of their experiences in America. Their costumes, while not prominently red, feature subtle accents or hints of the color. This deliberate choice underscores the complexity of their relationship with the American dream. The boys, in their discussions and in the song, convey a sentiment of nostalgia for their Puerto Rican roots, suggesting that their previous life on the island was, in some ways, preferable to the challenges they're facing in America.
The color red, in this context, becomes a bridge between the different experiences of the two groups, symbolizing both hope and disillusionment within the immigrant community.
The leader of the Jets also wears a red shirt. The incorporation of red in his costume not only serves as a visual parallel to the girls but also highlights the interconnectedness of cultures in shaping the American identity.
The set design further complements the symbolism of red. The walls in New York City are full of reddish hues, creating a visually cohesive backdrop that reinforces the thematic elements of the film. The use of red in the set design emphasizes the shared experiences and challenges faced by both the Puerto Rican and American characters as they navigate the complexities of their coexistence.
In conclusion, the red dresses worn by the Puerto Rican girls, Maria's desire for a red dress, and the Jets' use of red in their attire collectively contribute to a nuanced exploration of identity, assimilation, and the dynamic nature of American culture. Through symbolism of red, the filmmakers conveyed the complexities of cultural integration and the ever-evolving landscape of the American experience.
