West Side Story gangs refer to the rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, depicted in the iconic musical “West Side Story.” These gangs, composed of first- and second-generation immigrants, engage in a bitter conflict fueled by ethnic tensions and a struggle for territorial dominance in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan.
The portrayal of the gangs in “West Side Story” highlights the social and cultural challenges faced by immigrant communities in mid-20th century America. The Jets, led by Riff, represent a group of white youths, while the Sharks, led by Bernardo, are a gang of Puerto Rican immigrants. The conflict between the two gangs escalates into a cycle of violence, culminating in the tragic deaths of Tony, a former member of the Jets who falls in love with Maria, Bernardo’s sister.
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