Casablanca Essay

642 Words2 Pages

Juan G. Cruz Hernández
Section 126
Essay 1
Word Count: 599
Rick, with the Allies or the Nazis?
Casablanca is a romantic drama film in which the main character, Rick Blaine has to decide between escaping with Ilsa, leaving everything behind and supporting the war by helping Victor Laszlo, a Czech Resistance leader and husband of his former love, Ilsa. At the end, Rick decides to help Victor and Ilsa. Despite the fact that this decision was Rick’s way of protecting Ilsa, it can be proven that Rick helps her and her husband escape to America mainly because he wants to help the Allies win the war. Rick claims to be neutral in several occasions trough Casablanca, but his real position in the war is that he wants to help the Allies win.
Overall, Rick’s actions reflect his preference for the Allies over the Nazis. An example can be seen in a conversation between Rick and Renault in which Renault advises Rick not to warn Ugarte that he plans to arrest him for the murder of the carriers of the letters of transit, which allowed the holder exit Casablanca,, to which Rick replies, “I stick my neck out for nobody” (Casablanca). Despite Rick’s claim that he always maintains a neutral position, Rick helps Annina and Jan win enough money in the roulette to pay an exit visa to America. In addition to Rick’s present behavior, …show more content…

Rick congratulates Victor on his work. Laszlo, being modest, replies “I try” (Casablanca). Rick’s response to Victor “We all try, you succeed!” demonstrates that he is on the Allies side and that he considers Laszlo’s work important in order to achieve victory in the current war. The only reason that Rick did not helped him right away to escape to America, was probably because he felt betrayed by Ilsa and the reason of why he replied “I suggest that you ask your wife” when Victor questioned why he does not wants to help him (Casablanca). After all is clarified, Rick helps him escape at all cost, even killing

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