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What Is The Symbolism In Casablanca

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“I don’t stick my neck out for anyone,” famous words of the male lead, Rick, in Casablanca. He constantly reminded us that no one else is worth sacrificing for, or at least that’s what he wanted us to think. Is it wrong to care only for oneself? Is it necessary to show compassion and understanding to others? Rick is great example of to practice what I do and not what I preach. He tells us that he doesn’t want to stick his neck out for anything, he contradicts himself throughout the whole movie. I find this to symbolic because we should be willing to help others and accept help from others. He helps many different people. In the beginning, we are drawn to this dark character in a bar, and at first, you might think he is going to be the antagonist. He proves to be much more than that. We find out soon after the movie starts that someone will be arrested soon. This man held the transit letters for a very important activist coming to Casablanca on his way to America. A German general is trying to keep them in Casablanca as it better benefits his government to do so. The general, who’s in charge of the arrest, asks Rick if there will be any funny business on his end. Rick assures him; he has no intention of getting in their way. The man was approached and chased around, and finally ran to Rick. He demanded that Rick help him, but Rick told him he doesn’t stick his neck out for anyone. The man, …show more content…

He shows us that being selfish gets you nowhere. However, he is modest about his actions, so one shouldn’t get full headed about doing those things for others either. I honestly find the film to be well done, and it had a lot of answers to modern and past society. “I don’t stick my neck out for anyone,” famous words that faded behind the action of Richard

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