(Click above to listen to the iconic theme song while you browse)
To be more in-depth on the articulation
of society in the film, many sources have listed out the symbols in the movie,
a powerful tool that the producers used to make Casablanca the vivid creation
it is. The movie, flowing with symbolic idealisms, uses its symbols to portray
the societies of the late 30s up until Pearl Harbor. The first symbols of course, are the
characters themselves. By observing the
personalities of the characters, it’s easy to see the symbolic matchup to
societies. (Symbols and Semiotics: themes and symbols & Casablanca Semiotics: Characters as symbols )
Although Casablanca is a fictional film, it can be used as historical
evidence for past societies the same way other representational art
forms do. Learn why Casablanca is an accurate assessment of past societies
By
observing the personalities of the characters, it’s easy to see the symbolic
matchup to societies. Lazlo represents the freedom fighter society. He
represents those in the resistance willing to do whatever it takes to keep the world
from a sick Nazi regime. Ilsa, as previously mentioned, represents the higher
ideals in life. Her personality shows the plight of the society she represents:
the innocent people who know what’s going on in Europe is wrong but doesn’t
know how to respond. This decision of the heart was beautifully reflected in
the love triangle. Not simply a romantic twist, the love triangle is critically
important to the society Ilsa represents because it shows the conflict of
purity in the 40s. The higher ideals are too pure to be polluted, so they can’t
succumb to a corrupt dictator. However they must choose between how belief in
such ideals will be expressed. Will Ilsa’s conscience decide to come forth like
Rick, with an indifferent, keep to yourself attitude, or like Lazlo with
passion and willingness to fight regardless of the cost? Themes and Symbols in Casablanca
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