1
a. Because Casablanca is the translation of White House in Spanish, and the white house is the symbol of American government, also because it is an exotic place and the story takes place mostly inside a bar which belongs to an American, as a matter of fact, it is called Rick’s Americain Bar. Everyone in the bar no matter which nationality they are speak in English, it is just a part of USA inserted in Morocco.
b. It says that wherever that Americans set foot in, the relationship would be pretty much the same: Americans will try to dominate the culture by imposing their own, which we can see in a mass production way and with the help of economic with stores such as McDonald’s or Pizza Hut. Americans no matter where they go, they will try to put aside the place’s culture and Americanize the place. American first colonizes, and then they conquer. If it was the other way around it would not be effective.
c. It is typical “Hollywood” because: this film was very dominant and still is around the world, the film relies more on characters and story, it has a closure, considers cause-effect relationships, mostly is lighted with the three-point style and the films cut style is invisible.
d. We see almost nothing of Casablanca, what we see is an alley next to the Blue Parrot, which we see too in the inside, we see the airport or at least the hangar, we see Ilsa’s hotel room, and the Rick’s Americain Bar, inside and the façade, I might have missed one or two spots, but that is pretty much what we can see during the whole movie. But, if we get technical we actually see the whole Casablanca, but more like a dot in a map; but that doesn’t really counts.
2
In the film there are various stereotypes, but mainly there are 7 important ones: The American, The Corrupt Cop, The Antagonist, The Dealer, The Idealist, The Pretty Woman and The Negro.
a. The American (Rick Blaine): He is the hero per excellence, he is sentimentalism, has obscure secrets that make him strong and mysterious, he has or has been with the pretty girl, and sacrifices himself for an ulterior purpose, which generally is the sake of a beloved one or human kind.
b. The Corrupt Cop (Capt. Renault): This is a guy who is always on his guard, he tries to avoid problems, but sticks to the stronger side, and he acts for his own sake and benefit accordingly to the situation that is being held at the moment. He has no regrets, knows that he is morally and ethically wrong, and yet is fond of it.
c. The Antagonist (Maj. Strasser): This is a guy that represents power and intelligence, apparently this guy has a heart so black that he doe’s bother with good emotions, he is just there to get what he wants over anyone’s head; this guy is Machiavellian thought, for him it is so important the end that he will use any means to get to it. No matter if his end is good or wrong he is just there to oppose the hero, so we reject him, or hate him.
d. The Dealer (Signor Ferrari): This guy is really simple, his goal is to become economically wealthy, that is why he is in any kind of business that promises good monetary reward, no matter how nasty it is. That is why this is the guy everyone looks for when they need something that seems impossible to get. In other words, he is a very good PR, an excellent problem solver.
e. The Idealist (Victor Laszlo): This is a secondary hero that sometimes the audience gets to like more than the hero himself. This guy represents ethics, moral, love, respect, presence, intelligence, leadership, benevolence, courage, honesty and loyalty. He defends his beliefs with all the prior named values, and is willing to give his life for it; and his beliefs are generally those of a large group of people that are right. In other words, his beliefs are the sake and stability of society.
f. The Pretty Woman (Ilsa Lund): As is said, this girl is beautiful, almost all of the time defenseless, she loves without expecting something in return, sometimes she is courageous enough to affront certain situations, but mainly she is just a pretty face that represents sex and desire.
g. The Negro (Sam): This guy is very loyal to his boss (master); no matter how bad he is treated he is so humble that he always getting his boss’ back covered. Whenever there is trouble he tries to keep aside of it, because he is really calmed and represents peace and happiness. He is a very good friend, appears in the right moment to support his boss and shows real wisdom about life itself with his advises.
3
For this paper Rick Blain is a hero, because he is supposed to be in the context of the film, but in real life he is just a guy with a frustrated love memory that is unable to interact with people because he is scared of being hurt again. Then when his love, by destiny apparently, shows up in his life again, he is very immature and the first thing he does is to complaint and get drunk. After that, he is stupid enough to sacrifice himself and his feelings in order to make her beloved one happy, because it is clear that he doesn’t do it for the cause that is being fought for, but to redeem himself in some way. If that is the kind of hero, audiences are supposed to look up to, we are doomed; as a matter of fact, the people that are ruling this country are nothing like this, neither in the government nor in the public or private spheres. On the other hand, what a real hero should be like, in this paper’s point if view, is very simple; someone that defends his real truth and beliefs with everything he is got, but knowing the thin line that divides well from wrong. In other words, someone that defends anything he considers right, whether it is or not doesn’t really matter, but defends it knowing that the rights he has, end up where those of everyone else’s begin. And in doing so, one should be integral, brave, kind, polite, sincere, noble, intelligent and loyal.
4
For the writer of this paper gender is insignificant, a hero or heroine is the same and should act the same way, and that way I established in the prior answer. Nevertheless, Ilsa has more of a hero, than Blain, she knows what she wants and goes for it, yet she crosses the thin line, which takes a lot away. The author of this paper does not care if she is defenseless or pretends to be, or if she is a woman. That does not give her the right to cross that line at anytime or anyhow. The goal is to try to get to your end and not hurting anyone in the process, which is really difficult, but that is the reason why I consider that’s a hero. Yet she was really close to be a real hero as she was: kind, polite, noble and intelligent; but she wasn’t brave enough, and she certainly was neither sincere nor loyal. Leaving her someplace in the middle.
5
a. Basically, the relationship between Rick and Sam can be resumed as follows: Rick gives Sam sincerity and respect, treating him as an equal and Sam is grateful for it so he pays Rick with sincerity as well and also loyalty and care.
b. As this paper stated before Sam is the stereotype of the Negro, this guy is very loyal to his boss (master); no matter how bad he is treated he is so humble that he always getting his boss’ back covered. Whenever there is trouble he tries to keep aside of it, because he is really calmed and represents peace and happiness. He is a very good friend, appears in the right moment to support his boss and shows real wisdom about life itself with his advises. But, he transcends the stereotype, because he is very bright, talented, smart and intelligent. Also, because he plays and important role as a mediator between Ilsa and Rick, a reconciliatory one; and finally because he has, at to some point, important influence over Rick’s actions.
6
Allegorically, Casablanca represents the United States’ participation in World War II, because the characters in the film represent the countries and the moods of war, is as simple as the fact that Rick Blaine represents USA, he is fighting his war at some other place no matter where is it as long as it is not USA soil, he was forced into the war, supposedly, he entered the war lately and claims to be the hero of it, which in fact is someone else, and he doesn’t stick his neck for anyone unless there is no other option. He fights the easy battles and always has his back covered by someone else, just in case.
7
a. This film is such a classic because it has all of Hollywood’s classic techniques, because it was done during a time period that is printed in every person in the world and is a characterization of World War II.
b. Audiences are drawn into this film again and again, because its setting, even though we know is Casablanca-Morocco, is somewhat placeless. Also because its story even though is worn out, there is something inside the audience that likes, perhaps is that we have watched so much, that we need to watch it again. We are used to it. And obviously because is a classic, is passed down to each generation of film goers, and they want to have such a reference: 1) This captures Americans, because it shows how they love to create problems were there are not, by trying to solve other people’s problem, and they like to be heroes getting involved in things where they neither are needed nor have been called. And as this paper stated in two of the prior answers, Allegorically, Casablanca represents the United States’ participation in World War II, because the characters in the film represent the countries and the moods of war, is as simple as the fact that Rick Blaine represents USA, he is fighting his war at some other place no matter where is it as long as it is not USA soil, he was forced into the war, supposedly, he entered the war lately and claims to be the hero of it, which in fact is someone else, and he doesn’t stick his neck for anyone unless there is no other option. He fights the easy battles and always has his back covered by someone else, just in case. And 2) It says that wherever that Americans set foot in, the relationship would be pretty much the same: Americans will try to dominate the culture by imposing their own, which we can see in a mass production way and with the help of economic with stores such as McDonald’s or Pizza Hut. Americans no matter where they go, they will try to put aside the place’s culture and Americanize the place. American first colonizes, and then they conquer. If it was the other way around it would not be effective.
a. Because Casablanca is the translation of White House in Spanish, and the white house is the symbol of American government, also because it is an exotic place and the story takes place mostly inside a bar which belongs to an American, as a matter of fact, it is called Rick’s Americain Bar. Everyone in the bar no matter which nationality they are speak in English, it is just a part of USA inserted in Morocco.
b. It says that wherever that Americans set foot in, the relationship would be pretty much the same: Americans will try to dominate the culture by imposing their own, which we can see in a mass production way and with the help of economic with stores such as McDonald’s or Pizza Hut. Americans no matter where they go, they will try to put aside the place’s culture and Americanize the place. American first colonizes, and then they conquer. If it was the other way around it would not be effective.
c. It is typical “Hollywood” because: this film was very dominant and still is around the world, the film relies more on characters and story, it has a closure, considers cause-effect relationships, mostly is lighted with the three-point style and the films cut style is invisible.
d. We see almost nothing of Casablanca, what we see is an alley next to the Blue Parrot, which we see too in the inside, we see the airport or at least the hangar, we see Ilsa’s hotel room, and the Rick’s Americain Bar, inside and the façade, I might have missed one or two spots, but that is pretty much what we can see during the whole movie. But, if we get technical we actually see the whole Casablanca, but more like a dot in a map; but that doesn’t really counts.
2
In the film there are various stereotypes, but mainly there are 7 important ones: The American, The Corrupt Cop, The Antagonist, The Dealer, The Idealist, The Pretty Woman and The Negro.
a. The American (Rick Blaine): He is the hero per excellence, he is sentimentalism, has obscure secrets that make him strong and mysterious, he has or has been with the pretty girl, and sacrifices himself for an ulterior purpose, which generally is the sake of a beloved one or human kind.
b. The Corrupt Cop (Capt. Renault): This is a guy who is always on his guard, he tries to avoid problems, but sticks to the stronger side, and he acts for his own sake and benefit accordingly to the situation that is being held at the moment. He has no regrets, knows that he is morally and ethically wrong, and yet is fond of it.
c. The Antagonist (Maj. Strasser): This is a guy that represents power and intelligence, apparently this guy has a heart so black that he doe’s bother with good emotions, he is just there to get what he wants over anyone’s head; this guy is Machiavellian thought, for him it is so important the end that he will use any means to get to it. No matter if his end is good or wrong he is just there to oppose the hero, so we reject him, or hate him.
d. The Dealer (Signor Ferrari): This guy is really simple, his goal is to become economically wealthy, that is why he is in any kind of business that promises good monetary reward, no matter how nasty it is. That is why this is the guy everyone looks for when they need something that seems impossible to get. In other words, he is a very good PR, an excellent problem solver.
e. The Idealist (Victor Laszlo): This is a secondary hero that sometimes the audience gets to like more than the hero himself. This guy represents ethics, moral, love, respect, presence, intelligence, leadership, benevolence, courage, honesty and loyalty. He defends his beliefs with all the prior named values, and is willing to give his life for it; and his beliefs are generally those of a large group of people that are right. In other words, his beliefs are the sake and stability of society.
f. The Pretty Woman (Ilsa Lund): As is said, this girl is beautiful, almost all of the time defenseless, she loves without expecting something in return, sometimes she is courageous enough to affront certain situations, but mainly she is just a pretty face that represents sex and desire.
g. The Negro (Sam): This guy is very loyal to his boss (master); no matter how bad he is treated he is so humble that he always getting his boss’ back covered. Whenever there is trouble he tries to keep aside of it, because he is really calmed and represents peace and happiness. He is a very good friend, appears in the right moment to support his boss and shows real wisdom about life itself with his advises.
3
For this paper Rick Blain is a hero, because he is supposed to be in the context of the film, but in real life he is just a guy with a frustrated love memory that is unable to interact with people because he is scared of being hurt again. Then when his love, by destiny apparently, shows up in his life again, he is very immature and the first thing he does is to complaint and get drunk. After that, he is stupid enough to sacrifice himself and his feelings in order to make her beloved one happy, because it is clear that he doesn’t do it for the cause that is being fought for, but to redeem himself in some way. If that is the kind of hero, audiences are supposed to look up to, we are doomed; as a matter of fact, the people that are ruling this country are nothing like this, neither in the government nor in the public or private spheres. On the other hand, what a real hero should be like, in this paper’s point if view, is very simple; someone that defends his real truth and beliefs with everything he is got, but knowing the thin line that divides well from wrong. In other words, someone that defends anything he considers right, whether it is or not doesn’t really matter, but defends it knowing that the rights he has, end up where those of everyone else’s begin. And in doing so, one should be integral, brave, kind, polite, sincere, noble, intelligent and loyal.
4
For the writer of this paper gender is insignificant, a hero or heroine is the same and should act the same way, and that way I established in the prior answer. Nevertheless, Ilsa has more of a hero, than Blain, she knows what she wants and goes for it, yet she crosses the thin line, which takes a lot away. The author of this paper does not care if she is defenseless or pretends to be, or if she is a woman. That does not give her the right to cross that line at anytime or anyhow. The goal is to try to get to your end and not hurting anyone in the process, which is really difficult, but that is the reason why I consider that’s a hero. Yet she was really close to be a real hero as she was: kind, polite, noble and intelligent; but she wasn’t brave enough, and she certainly was neither sincere nor loyal. Leaving her someplace in the middle.
5
a. Basically, the relationship between Rick and Sam can be resumed as follows: Rick gives Sam sincerity and respect, treating him as an equal and Sam is grateful for it so he pays Rick with sincerity as well and also loyalty and care.
b. As this paper stated before Sam is the stereotype of the Negro, this guy is very loyal to his boss (master); no matter how bad he is treated he is so humble that he always getting his boss’ back covered. Whenever there is trouble he tries to keep aside of it, because he is really calmed and represents peace and happiness. He is a very good friend, appears in the right moment to support his boss and shows real wisdom about life itself with his advises. But, he transcends the stereotype, because he is very bright, talented, smart and intelligent. Also, because he plays and important role as a mediator between Ilsa and Rick, a reconciliatory one; and finally because he has, at to some point, important influence over Rick’s actions.
6
Allegorically, Casablanca represents the United States’ participation in World War II, because the characters in the film represent the countries and the moods of war, is as simple as the fact that Rick Blaine represents USA, he is fighting his war at some other place no matter where is it as long as it is not USA soil, he was forced into the war, supposedly, he entered the war lately and claims to be the hero of it, which in fact is someone else, and he doesn’t stick his neck for anyone unless there is no other option. He fights the easy battles and always has his back covered by someone else, just in case.
7
a. This film is such a classic because it has all of Hollywood’s classic techniques, because it was done during a time period that is printed in every person in the world and is a characterization of World War II.
b. Audiences are drawn into this film again and again, because its setting, even though we know is Casablanca-Morocco, is somewhat placeless. Also because its story even though is worn out, there is something inside the audience that likes, perhaps is that we have watched so much, that we need to watch it again. We are used to it. And obviously because is a classic, is passed down to each generation of film goers, and they want to have such a reference: 1) This captures Americans, because it shows how they love to create problems were there are not, by trying to solve other people’s problem, and they like to be heroes getting involved in things where they neither are needed nor have been called. And as this paper stated in two of the prior answers, Allegorically, Casablanca represents the United States’ participation in World War II, because the characters in the film represent the countries and the moods of war, is as simple as the fact that Rick Blaine represents USA, he is fighting his war at some other place no matter where is it as long as it is not USA soil, he was forced into the war, supposedly, he entered the war lately and claims to be the hero of it, which in fact is someone else, and he doesn’t stick his neck for anyone unless there is no other option. He fights the easy battles and always has his back covered by someone else, just in case. And 2) It says that wherever that Americans set foot in, the relationship would be pretty much the same: Americans will try to dominate the culture by imposing their own, which we can see in a mass production way and with the help of economic with stores such as McDonald’s or Pizza Hut. Americans no matter where they go, they will try to put aside the place’s culture and Americanize the place. American first colonizes, and then they conquer. If it was the other way around it would not be effective.
