History: A response Essay History Essay Research Paper (Essay Sample)

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History: A Response Essay
1. Describe the parallels between Rick Blaine's character and the American position in the lead-up to, and early years of, World War II
The movie, Casablanca, is a true reflection of American ideology during World War II, under the leadership of the then president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In the movie, Rick Blaine's character portrays Roosevelt’s policy of isolationism or non-interventionist ideology, an American position in the lead-up to, and early years of, World War II. Rick's character, while in Casablanca, portrays as a man who isolates himself with politics and social life. For instance, Renault asks him, “I have often speculated why don’t return to America. Did you abscond with church funds? Did you run with the senator’s wife? I like to think you killed a man” (P. 49). It happens at the time when there was a gold rush to America, and his ( Rick’s) café was used as a transit point, in which people would acquire a pass to enter the US; “the fortunate, through money, influence or luck, would obtain visas an scurry to Lisbon and from Lisbon to the new world (USA)” (p. 55). Additionally, his social isolation or emotional isolation can be compared to American’s position during WWII. Rick watches his wife struggle to obtain a passage as the Nazis rapidly spread throughout Europe, and is little interested and only concerned with the affairs of his café. He even purports that he is going to die in Casablanca, and when asked about his nationality, he replies that “I am a drunkard” (P. 55). Ilsa (Rik’s wife) explains the behavior of her husband as a change from his former self, arguing that he used to be an idealist and anti-fascist but turned bitter and angry after being forced to flee Paris. However, after they rekindle their lost love, rick suddenly embraces his former anti-fascist self and join the fight. It can be likened to Americans' abandonment of the non-interventionist ideology when the Japanese attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor; the war was brought to American soil. Therefore Rick and Isla’s renewal of their love can be compared to the Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor in the sense that they both provoke change in ideology or stand.