Representation

Question 1

Representation of Age

Answer 1

• Rick calls Ilsa ‘kid’
• Ilsa appears young so she can seem more innocent and pure than Rick
• Bogart was in his 40s, Bergman in her 20s

Question 2

Representation of Ethnicity

Answer 2

• only 3 US born cast members
• multicultural studios
• Sam: ally to Rick, a good character. little plot focus but shows important interracial relationship

Question 3

Representation of Gender

Answer 3

• male dominated cast
• Ilsa is there to look pretty as a prize for Rick, film shows little to no focus on her narrative at times
• Ilsa is villainised for leaving rick
• Ilsa tells Rick to “think for the both of them”
• Rick: cynical anti hero, him and Laszlo compete for Ilsa
• Rick is a metaphor for America
• Rick’s depression is shown through alcohol, anger and low lighting
• Yvonne throws herself between men

Question 4

Representation of 1940s Attitudes

Answer 4

• patriarchal society
• white dominance, still issues with race (Hays Code prevented interracial relationships)

Question 5

Representation of Rick

Answer 5

• cold and aloof
• represents America’s isolationist view
• world weary and cynical about Europe’s problems, yet distrustful of Nazis
• represents US foreign policy from isolationist to interventionist
• Bogart became a star late in his career: played gangster villains, sardonic and tough persona

Question 6

Representation of Ilsa

Answer 6

• Nordic beauty
• exotic and beautiful
• an object of desire and ‘love interest’
• torn between romantic love and her duty, in the end Rick chooses for her