casblanca

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Stephen JordanApril 14, 2011

Period 3, History

Casablanca: A Representation

In World War II, Casablanca acted as an escape route to America for European

refugees. Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, in 1931, is a love story, which has

many allusions to the American ambivalence towards the war in Europe. Casablanca’s

use of irony, relationships, and allegory help reflect American ambivalence towards the

war currently underway in Europe. Casablanca is set in December 1941. The film takes

place before the attack on Pearl Harbor, but after the war in Europe started. Deep in a

popular town in Casablanca, Morocco, Rick Blaine (an American) is prospering off of his

renowned American Bar. Blaine is an austere man who, by chance, encounters the letters

of transit through Ugarte. Soon, Rick meets Laszlo (an underground leader), who is with

his long lost love, Ilsa. Initially, Rick and Ilsa plan to run off together with the letters of

transit, but Rick soon decides that it would be best if Ilsa and Laszlo run off to America

instead. To accomplish this plan, Rick has to murder Major Strasser to stop him from

alerting authorities about Ilsa and Laszlo’s escape. Captain Renault refuses to reveal

Rick’s crime to the authorities and gives Rick his freedom.

Casablanca, in the 1900s was a venue to buy passes out of Europe and to

America. Because in 1940, France has fallen into Nazi control, Rick’s American bar is

filled with France immigrants who are desperate to flee Nazi terrorism. Yet, although the

majority of Rick’s customers are French, there is evident ethnic diversity as well. The

addition of various ethnic groups is important in portraying the World War, because it

involved many countries. The mood during Casablanca is an important factor in

displaying how American’s felt about the World War. The feeling of desperation

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expressed through many refugees in Rick’s bar exhibits the fear Nazis imposed upon

their victims. As Roosevelt declared, “The Nazi master of Germany have made it clear

that they intend […] to enslave the whole of Europe,” Europeans had the right to be

fearful of such a power and goal. Desperation and confusion was also felt in America.

While some supported isolation and neutrality (such as Lindbergh), others wanted to join

the war efforts (such as the Jews, and the Roosevelt party).

Symbolism is one way that Casblanca reflected American ambivalence towards

the war in Europe. In the beginning of scene four, Rick is sitting down, alone, playing a

game of chess. Chess is commonly known for its strategical game play. Like the game of

chess, Rick is also a man of strategy. Rick is always thinking one step ahead and is

circumspect in every move he makes. Rick is also a business man who, at first, cares

nothing more than for his business to prosper. Just as Lindbergh stated in his address to

the First Committee, “we in this country have the right to think of the welfare of America

first,” Rick (symbolizing America) thinks of the welfare of his business first. When he

sees potential danger, he stops it before it causes any harm to his business. For example,

Rick rejected the entry of a German Banker because he was afraid he might have been a

Nazi spy. Symbolism is also evident when Ugarte hands the precious letters of transit to

Rick for safe keeping. Because, previously, Americans joined war efforts in World War I

and provided moral for their allies, Americans were portrayed as trustworthy and

dependable. The French, such as Ugarte are also attracted to America because of its

current state of Neutrality. Ugarte displays this idea by trusting Rick with such important

documents. Just as the letters of transit dragged Rick into a conflict, so did the Japanese

attack on Pearl Harbor dragged Americans into the war. Though the Pearl Harbor Attack

occurred after the development of the Casablanca production, it had already occurred

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after the movie was released to the public in 1942. Sam is another example of symbolism

in Casablanca, which helped reflect American ambivalence towards the war. Sam is an

African American who symbolizes the hardships felt in America’s past. As an African

American, he symbolizes slavery. Yet, despite slavery in America, African Americans

slowly gained freedom. This symbolizes America because it sends a message to

Americans that although the United States may be going through turmoil now, regarding

the World War, we must remain strong and hopeful. Sam also acts as a connection to the

past because his songs stir memories within Rick and Ilsa. The past is important to

America’s feelings towards the war because Americans felt confident due to the

successes received in the last World War. The past is crucial because it helps define the

United States. According to historian, Mr. Motter; “The United States was physically

untouched by world war one,” which led to America becoming the largest economic

power house after World War I. Later in Casablanca, a Nazi and French song contest is

ignited in Rick’s bar. Yet, as the two sides battle out, Rick is viewing the scene from the

second story of the bar. This position of Rick’s symbolizes America’s neutrality. Yet,

Rick is also observing closely with a stern face, which possibly symbolizes America’s

ambivalence to the situation.

The various relationships between characters in Casablanca also helps to reflect

American ambivalence in the war. In Roosevelt’s third term, he expressed to the public

that the United States would become a “isolated fortress, vulnerable to attack” if America

continued to stay neutral. This idea of Roosevelt is displayed in Rick’s relationships with

others at the bar. In the beginning, Rick never drinks with his customers and always has

neutral feelings to everyone. Yet, as the film progresses, Rick is sucked into the letter of

transit conflict and begins changing is route. Slowly, he begins to show more sympathy to

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his customers and even helps a Bulgarian couple win money in his own casino to help

them afford exit tickets. This development shows how Rick, like America, slowly turned

away from neutrality and soon took action. Rick’s relationship with Ilsa also shows

America’s ambivalence. Because he was stood up in Paris by Ilsa, Rick is reluctant to

speak or to even make contact with her when he meets Ilsa again in his bar. Just as

America was in a state of neutrality and did not want anything to do with the European

War. Rick’s relationship with Captain Renault shows how America had allies such as

England. Just as Captain Renault tried to persuade Rick to turn over the letters of transit

in the beginning, England attempted to draw the United States into the war for support.

Yet, most importantly, the relationship between Rick and Sam shows the conflict within

America. Sam deals with Rick’s drunkenness and is told to play sad songs, which stir

unwanted memories between Rick and Ilsa. The relationship between the two Americans

show how America is uncertain with their decision upon going into war. Sam represents

the ordinary citizens in America who are caught between two disagreeing beliefs on

whether to go to war or not.

Casablanca is also successful in reflecting America’s ambivalence towards the

war through characters. In Bill Moyer’s “The Democrat and the Dictator” he compares

and contrasts Hitler and Roosevelt. Both leaders are successful in capturing their

audience through rhetoric. Hitler’s “deep vibrations of his witching song[s]” riveted his

audiences attention during his speeches to the masses. On the contrary, Roosevelt was

more amiable and spoke to his people as if they were “family.” Like Hitler, Major

Strasser is intense and spoke with formality and emphasis. Meanwhile, Rick is like

Roosevelt, because he speaks calmly and is always composed even during the most

stressful situations. America’s uncertainty was relinquished by its leader, Roosevelt.

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Roosevelt believed that the people should not be “neutral in thought as well as in action”

anymore. With the use of his persuasive and reassuring rhetoric, Roosevelt ultimately

entered America into war. Just as Roosevelt led America, Rick used his language and

composure to lead and help others such as the Bulgarian couple, Ilsa and Laszlo. Sam,

who is obedient represents the citizens of America. Although sometimes skeptical about

the situation, the citizens ultimately have to go along with the President’s final decision.

Just as Sam has to play and listen to when or whatever Rick desires, so do the citizens of

America obey the President’s call.

Casablanca is a dynamic film. One can view it as a complicated love story, while

another can base it on historical context. This is one reason why Casablanca has remained

an American classic. It intertwines, personal conflict with political and worldly conflicts.

With an abundance of symbolism, Casablanca makes the audience think deeply about

each scene and action. I believe that this film deserves such a applauding reputation

because it informs Americans about the World War, while entertaining them through

visual methods. American’s were uncertain during World War II because some wanted to

remain neutral while others though it be best if America took action. The use of

symbolism, characterization, and relationships are how Casablanca reflects American

ambivalence towards the war currently underway in Europe.

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