CQ+Grace+Paik

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000189 EndHTML:0000043060 StartFragment:0000014234 EndFragment:0000043024 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/hjpaik10/Documents/Thematic%20Viewing%20Guide.doc 1. List the main characters and write a short description about each one. - Rich Blaine: He is an owner of the famous café in Casablanca and is originally from New York City. He used to be Ilsa’s lover in Paris. - Ilsa Lund: She is a woman, who is in love with Rich. Although she loves Rich, she is married to Laszlo, a revolutionary. - Laszlo: He is Ilsa’s current husband and is a revolutionary, who condemns the Germans and the war.
 * Film Facts:**

2. What is the central conflict? - France and Germany are currently in war and Casablanca is a refugee in France. Rick is an American, who opens a famous café in that place. He seems to be neutral and indifferent to everything that goes around him. Yet, when Ilsa, who used to be his lover in France, appears with her husband, Rick tries to know why she had left him in the train station with a single letter. As the story moves on, the relationship among three main characters becomes the center of the main conflict. 3. Describe the setting (both time and place) of the film. - The setting takes place during World War II and is in between late 1930s and early 1940s.

4. What is the general mood of the film? Be detailed! - The general mood of the film is romantic since the film itself deals with the love between Rick and Ilsa. The beginning of the movie gives a brief background of the situation in Casablanca. However, when Ilsa appears in the movie, the mood gradually becomes romantic as she gets more interactions with Rick, her lover. Although Ilsa tries to hide her secret and love from Rick, she eventually gives up lying to herself and to him and admits that she loves him more than Laszlo, who is her legal husband. Even though they are having inappropriate relationships, their cheesy conversations and Rick’s actions for Ilsa throughout the plot make the film become one of the most famous romantic films.

5. Briefly summarize the plot. - The story starts in Casablanca during World War II and France is currently occupied by the Germans. Rick is an American owner of the big café in Casablanca, which is a refugee in France. Although he is an American, whose country is currently in war with Germany, Rick has a good relationship with Germans since he keeps himself neutral in the political conflicts. However, when Ilsa and Laszlo, a revolutionary, enter his life, Rick gradually changes. At first, he goes after Ilsa to figure out why she had left him with a single letter. Although Rick feels a great betrayal when she appears with another man, he soon finds out that Ilsa didn’t have a choice but to leave him. Moreover, after he finds out about the reasons, Rick falls in love with Ilsa again. Not only does he find his love back, but he also gets politically involved because of her and her husband, Laszlo. As a revolutionary, Laszlo is a leader of the underground meetings and tries to fight against the Germans. Since this is the case, Laszlo becomes the main target for the German polices and gets in troubles while he stays in Casablanca. Then, Ilsa convinces Rick to help Laszlo get away from the troubles by using the letters that were for the leaders of the rebellions around the world. Although Rick remains neutral in the beginning of the movie, his love forces him to get involved in the political conflicts and eventually helps Laszlo and Ilsa get away from Casablanca by forcing Renault, a French police who works for the Germans. Ironically, Rick remains in Casablanca even though Ilsa and he are madly in love. Then, the movie ends with Renault and Rick, walking together. 6. From whose point of view is the story told? - The movie is told in Rick’s perspective view since he is the protagonist.

7. What was the structure of the film? - Unlike __Field of Dreams__, every event in __Casablanca__ occurs in a chronological order for the most parts. However, when he reminisces his good days with Ilsa in France, the time line changes and goes back to the past, when the Germans began to march into Paris. After this flashback is over, the story comes back to present and continues on until the end of the movie.

What is the film’s primary focus: plot, mood, character, style, or ideas? Answer one of these questions:
 * Theme and Focus:**

1. Plot- summarize the action abstractly in a single sentence or short paragraph 2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Mood- describe the mood or feeling that is conveyed -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> The primary focus for this movie is a relationship between each character. Since this is a romance movie, characters play crucial roles in the plot. As the story moves on, Rick and Ilsa become more attracted to each other. For example, Rick, at first, tries to make Ilsa feel the same pain as he felt when she left her. Yet, when he becomes more involved in events with Ilsa and Laszlo, Rick falls in love again. Even though there are some discords between Ilsa and Rick in the beginning of the plot, their relationship gets deepened as they interact more. 4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Style- describe the qualities that contribute to the special look or feel of the film 5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Idea- identify the subject in a single word or phrase; explain what comment or statement the film is making about the subject
 * 3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> ****Character- describe the unusual aspects of his or her personality**

1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> What was the primary aim of the film? Give reasons. j.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> **exploring human relationships** I think the primary aim of the film is exploring human relationships because the movie puts greater emphases on the relationship between each character and the setting that it utilizes. Since the historical background of the movie is World War II, it is clear that the human relationships are more important than any other primary factors. Because the movie uses a war as its setting, the political conflicts and the way that all characters interact with each other either politically or personally underscore the importance of the relationships of every character. Moreover, unlike other films, __Casablanca__ has many characters, which are related to the main characters. Although these minor roles aren’t as crucial as those three main protagonists in the movie, their unusual relationships with each protagonist makes this movie more unique and interesting.
 * Identifying the Theme:**

2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Which items could be secondary aims? Explain your answer. a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> providing pure entertainment--escape from the real world Although this movie contains serious events going on due to the war, I think this film is also for pure entertainment. The facts that the story occurs amid the war and the unrealistic reunion of Rick and Ilsa make this movie entertaining since the events that happen between Rick and Ilsa hardly happen in a real life. Moreover, I think the viewers are trying to escape from the tragic war by covering its dark side with a profound romance.

1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Is the film’s basic appeal to the intellect, to the funny bone, to the moral sense, or the aesthetic sense? Is it aimed at the erotic sense, the viscera (blood and guts), the heart, the yellow streak down the back, or simply the eyes? Support with evidence from the film. -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> The film’s basic appeal is to the aesthetic sense because the plot focuses on how a man and a woman deeply fall in love. When Ilsa comes back to Rick, he forgives her and loves her again. If this movie didn’t have the aesthetic sense, then the entire scenes in which Rick and Ilsa show their love wouldn’t make sense. -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Moreover, __Casablanca__ is aimed at the heart because a romantic relationship between Rick and Ilsa makes the viewers feel as if they are those two lovers in the movie. Although there are some parts that focus on the political conflicts between Germany and France or between Laszlo and the Germans, most of the film emphasizes a beautiful romance.
 * Evaluating the Theme:**

2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> How well does your statement of the film’s theme and focus stand up after you have thoroughly analyzed all the elements of the film? - My statement of the film’s theme and focus stand up after thoroughly analyzing the elements of the film. Yet, I got to know more about Ilsa. Although I don’t like the way that she acts in front of Rick, I realized that she isn’t really a selfish woman after all. In reality, I think her actions can be considered sacrifices because she gives up her love to save Rick’s life. Also, Ilsa lets Rick go at the end of the movie when he tells her that he has things to do in Casablanca. If she were an egocentric character, she would’ve stopped Rick from staying in Casablanca.

3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> To what degree is the film’s theme universal? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Although this movie is well-known to all generations, I think there are some problems in understanding the plot. Unlike __Field of Dreams__, the setting of this movie is during World War II. Therefore, it is fairly difficult for people, who don’t know much about the war, can have troubles understanding the plot. Moreover, I think this movie is a little bit too profound for teenagers to watch since they don’t have any proper experiences in love or actual deep relationships. Since the love that Rick and Ilsa share is much more profound than a normal love (or flirting), this movie might be difficult for the teens to watch.

4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Is the theme relevant to your own experience? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Unfortunately, I didn’t feel any connections while I was watching this movie since I never had loved a guy in an obsessive way like Ilsa. However, I think this movie makes more sense to my parents since they actually had more experiences in love than I have.

5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> If you think the film makes a significant statement, why is it significant? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> I think the film is trying to show what a true love is and how brave people can only obtain their love. The reason for this statement is because Rick jeopardizes himself to get an airplane for Ilsa and Laszlo. Although Rick and Ilsa don’t leave Casablanca together, they finally have found their true love after facing all those difficulties. -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> This statement is significant because the movie encourages people to go after what they really want such as love, personal goals, or anything that they desire.

6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Decide whether the film’s theme is intellectually or philosophically interesting or self-evident and boring. Defend your decision. -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> I personally found this movie a little boring because there weren’t anything actually happening besides Rick and Ilsa falling in love. The excessive focus on romance between these loves didn’t leave any huge impact on me because the only parts that I could remember were those scenes where Rick and Ilsa have a romantic, cheesy conversation. Although I understand why this movie can be considered one of the best movies to watch, its excessive focus on Rick and Ilsa’s love made this film a little insipid to me. Moreover, there are many other movies that deal with profound romance; therefore, I think this film’s theme is too vague.

7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Does the film have the potential to become a classic? Will this film be viewed watching it twenty years from today? Why? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> I think this film has the potential to become a classic, but only for those people who like to watch romantic movies. It is true that this movie has a high quality of plot and acting involved; yet, the movie, again, is purely filled with romance. Therefore, I think there are certain limits for this movie to be considered a classic.

8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Who was your favorite character and why? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> My favorite character was Renault, a French police who was forced to work for Germans, because he is the one who actually adds humors into the film when it gets dry and boring. For example, when Rick points a gun at him and demands him to sit down, Renault makes this dire scene humorous by saying, “Under the circumstances, I will”. Although this part can be boring, because Renault says his line in a funny way, he suddenly changes the mood become livelier.
 * Reflection:**

9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Who was your least favorite character and why? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> I didn’t like Ilsa much although she is one of the main characters in the movie. When she went to Rick to persuade him to help Laszlo, I felt like she was using Rick for her own sake. Even though she eventually admits her true love, I think she has already done something unforgivable to Rick. Hence, she shouldn’t be flirting with him and trying to regain his trust. Moreover, the way that she tries to excuse herself from her action in Paris makes me feel uncomfortable because she seems to utilize her gender to get away from criticism.

10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> What was your favorite part of the movie? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> I like the last part in which Renault smiles at Rick after Rick shoots a German general because this part shows what a true friendship is. Although Renault works for the Germans, when Rick shoots a general, Renault pretends that he hasn’t seen anything to help Rick get away from the troubles. From this part, I was able to see the friendship that these two men had built over the time period.

11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> What was your least favorite part? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> My least favorite part is a scene in which Ilsa visits Rick to convince him help Laszlo. Although many people might think this scene as one of the most romantic parts, I think this scene is only making Ilsa look like a girl, who is using a man’s innocent love to achieve her goal.

12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Did you learn anything from the movie? What was it? -<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Although I didn’t enjoy this movie as much as I did in Field of Dreams, I did learn one thing for sure in this film. Even though this film is all about love, I think it also conveys an important message about achieving desires or goals. The processes that Rick goes through to regain his love clearly show that only courageous person can obtain what he or she really wants.