Casablanca Symbolism

2 Pages 610 Words

In the movie “Casablanca,” symbolism plays a very important role. Throughout the movie, details about actions, words, and even clothes have a specific meaning. The time is World War Two in Free French Casablanca. Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart, is a respected ex-patriot club owner. The symbolism in this movie reminds me of “Shiendler’s List.” Both movies are in retro-spec since both take place during World War Two. This essay will compare and contrast not only the characters, but also who symbolism speaks for, and what it speaks for that’s not stated in the movies.
In “Casablanca,” the role of the captain is Louie. He’s mostly neutral, but keeps his opinions to himself since the Germans are easing off. Shiendler, in his movie plays a similar role. He’s mostly for the war, but he plays up to many of the Nazi Party officials. Both have authority. They use it differently though. Louie does what the Germans tell him to keep the peace, while Shiendler plays a very calm act towards the officials to get a higher status. It’s not that Shiendler doesn’t like the Jewish labor internees, but he gets free labor for his factory. Louie had a chance to turn in Rick for shouting General Strausser from the Third Reich, but doesn’t by misleading the soldiers. Shiendler lets his Jew laborers free when the war is over. Louie throws an alcohol bottle in a trash can and kicks it. This action can be taken many different ways. I think that since General Strausser was just killed, it symbolizes that there was no need to drink since the depression brought on by the German occupation through out the country would be freed.
Alcohol is drunk through out the movie in Casablanca by nearly every one. This is a symbol of a wide spread depression. It is an action that takes place even when no one is around but the person drinking. In Shiendler’s movie, the little girl in a red jacket running down the street symbolizes death. That’s t...