Ann Hopkins
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How does “Casablanca” support the war effort? Recall any scenes or lines that contain pro-war messages.
Casablanca starts as a news reel. You see a slowly turning globe that highlights the ally countries and the axis countries during WW II. Also, there is a documentary-style narration at the beginning of the movie, which sets the tone for a war time movie. Also, there is a scene in the movie where Germans are at Ricks bar sing a German song. Then Victor causes the bar band to begin playing a patriotic French song, which quickly over takes the sound of the German soldiers voices. I believe this scene in the movie portrays Casablanca as begin a pro-war movie. It shows that although it may take time the ally forces while overcome the Germans.
Do you think Ilsa really loves Victor? What makes you think yes or no?
I believe that Ilsa does love Victor but the foundation for that love is rooted in loyalty due solely on the relationship that Ilsa and Victor have shared concerning their escape from the Germans. During Rick and Ilsa conversation while she was trying to get the letters of transit from Rick her love for Victor is made clear. She is in love with the institution in which he stands for and the cause for which he is fighting.
Do you think Victor knows what really happened between Rick and Ilsa? Explain.
I believe the Victor is aware that something happened between Rick and Ilsa, and that what happened was an intimate experience. However, at the same time Victor also knows that Ilsa is loyal towards him and what he is fighting for.
Which of the men do you think loves Ilsa more? Victor or Rick? Why?
I think that Rick loved Ilsa more because in the end he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice by letting go of Ilsa. Towards the end of the movie Rick is left to make the decision regarding who will get the letters of transit as a result of Ilsa inability to decide what to do. Rick realizes that Victor should leave because of the importance of the cause that he is fighting for and the Ilsa should go with him. Ricks decision concerning Ilsa is due to knowing that she would be safer and better of leaving with Victor then staying with him.
How do you explain the scenes at the airport? Is Rick being noble or is he trying to show Victor that he loves Ilsa more than Victor does? Explain how his speech goes beyond just romantic melodrama and speaks to the war effort.
Rick is being the noble hero by letting the women go because he understands the important position that she holds with Victor.
Rick says, “Well always have Paris,” so there is no actual need to be together, shows Rick as the ultimate romantic, knowing through this one line that he will always love her.
Rick also says, “Victor needs you”, Ilsa is important to Victor and his work, showing that her position in the outcome of this war is important so she must leave with him.
Rick says “Heres looking at you kid” at least four times in the movie. Does the meaning change with each time he says it. How?
Each time Rick says this line he is either thinking of Ilsa or with Ilsa. I think this line refers to him trying to figure out exactly what her intentions are towards him throughout the movie. This is probably one of the biggest question throughout the movie does Ilsa truly still love Rick or is she just playing with his emotions in order to secure the