Since I am not much of a devotee when it comes to romantic films, I had come to the decision to leave my comfort zone, and view Casablanca (Curtiz, 1942). Initially, I felt as though this was just a trivial, romantic war piece from the 1940’s. I discovered through various viewings for this assignment that this was not the case. Casablanca works as an historical allegory, in the sense that the characters represent certain facets of the Allies during World War II. Rick (Humphrey Bogart) represents isolationism, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) represents idealism, and Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) represents resistance.
An example of this idea is the pivotal character of Casablanca, Rick Blaine. Rick represents isolationism, the same policy that the United States adopted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Towards the beginning of the film, Rick refuses to allow Ferrari to purchase his café. Ferrari responds, “Rick, when will you realize that in this world today isolationism is no longer a practical policy?” Rick further insinuates this by continually saying, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” Renault even states to Strasser that Rick is neutral …show more content…
In order to placate Renault, Rick claims that he is taking the Letters of Transit for himself. Rick promptly threatens to shoot Renault if he doesn’t call in the plane. He then allows Ilsa and Lazlo to leave for Lisbon on that plane, using the Letters of Transit. Rick shoots Strasser when he threatens to call off the plane. Lazlo then tells Rick, “Welcome back to our side. This time I know we’ll win.” Rick 's change of heart symbolizes “Roosevelt and the nation 's shift from isolationism to involvement in the war” (Raskin 157). He has essentially claimed that he’s on the side of the Allies, as he walks away from the airport with
An example of this idea is the pivotal character of Casablanca, Rick Blaine. Rick represents isolationism, the same policy that the United States adopted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Towards the beginning of the film, Rick refuses to allow Ferrari to purchase his café. Ferrari responds, “Rick, when will you realize that in this world today isolationism is no longer a practical policy?” Rick further insinuates this by continually saying, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” Renault even states to Strasser that Rick is neutral …show more content…
In order to placate Renault, Rick claims that he is taking the Letters of Transit for himself. Rick promptly threatens to shoot Renault if he doesn’t call in the plane. He then allows Ilsa and Lazlo to leave for Lisbon on that plane, using the Letters of Transit. Rick shoots Strasser when he threatens to call off the plane. Lazlo then tells Rick, “Welcome back to our side. This time I know we’ll win.” Rick 's change of heart symbolizes “Roosevelt and the nation 's shift from isolationism to involvement in the war” (Raskin 157). He has essentially claimed that he’s on the side of the Allies, as he walks away from the airport with