Representations

    Cards (8)

    • What themes does Rick Blaine represent?
      • Cynicism
      • Isolation
      • Sacrifice
      Rick is initially portrayed as self-serving and disillusioned
      He stays out of politics and emotional entanglement, but has a strong moral compass
      He is the reluctant hero- he sacrifices his happiness for a greater cause
      He represents US foreign policy- tough and cynical, yet altruistic
      Tough and cynical masculinity: his love for Ilsa shows his vulnerability

      cynical = thinking people are only interested in themselves
      altruistic = showing selfish concern for others without care for the impact it will have on yourself
    • What themes does Ilsa Lund represent?
      • Love
      • Duty
      • Moral conflict
      She embodies the internal conflict between love and duty
      She is torn between her love for Rick and her commitment to Victor
      Also represents the human heart's struggle- when personal desires clash with moral obligations
    • What themes does Victor Laszlo represent?
      • Resistance
      • Idealism
      • Courage
      Victor is the symbol of the heroic and principled resistance to tyranny
      His unwavering commitment to fighting fascism is a strong contrast to Rick -> which highlights the moral imperative to oppose injustice
      He also reflects the broader struggle of Europe under Nazi occupation
    • What themes does Captain Louis Renault represent?
      • Opportunism
      • Redemption
      He is pragmatic and self serving- he aligns with whoever offers him the most benefit
      He represents the people who exploit the war for personal gain
      But, by the end, he joins the resistance
      Renault's character arc represents the redemption characters can have even if they have compromised their principles
    • What themes does Major Strasser represent?
      • Nazi oppression
      • Tyranny
      Strasser is the embodiment of authoritarianism (a way of governing that values order and control over personal freedom)
      He symbolises the threat of fascism (most of the country's power is held by one ruler or a small group, under a single party)
      His cold, menacing demeanour makes him the primary antagonist; he is a stark contrast to the other characters, who wrestle with their ethics and humanity
    • What themes does Sam represent?
      • Loyalty
      • Nostalgia
      Sam acts as the bridge between Rick's past and present, embodying the nostalgia of Rick's days in Paris with Ilsa
      His music evokes memories of love and loss
      He remains steadfast in his loyalty to Rick; theme of personal allegience
    • What themes does Ugarte represent?
      • Selfishness
      • Desperation
      He represents the self-serving individuals trying to profit from the war.
      His desperation to get out of Casablanca link to the moral compromises some people make when faced with survival
      He is a strong contrast to Rick and Victor Laszlo
    • What themes does Signor Ferrari represent?
      • Neutrality
      • Pragmatism (dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations)
      He is the neutral form of opportunism (taking advantage of opportunities with little regard of the consequences it'll have on others)
      He is straightforward about his desire to profit from the situation, but without taking a clear moral stance
      He represents the pragmatic side of war; some people seek to benefit from both sides without engaging in the wider ideological battle
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