Rick's Heroism example essay topic

How do you measure the heroism of a man? The answer depends on the definition of heroism. At first glance, to define heroism appears rather easy, but is it? In recent decades, culture has blurred together the heroes of reality with scripted actors on a screen. More people look up to Tom Hanks for his role as a war hero than the 101st Airborne Division. So, what distinguishes the life of a true hero?

A hero performs deeds of sacrificial and inspirational valor in situations that put him at risk in the real world. Heroism exhibits itself not in a uniform package but in varying degrees. Ironically, I will attempt to rank the heroism of three movie actors and their roles in the movie world. With the three men in Casablanca, heroism varies according to their consistency and motives.

Let us first examine each man individually with these aspects in mind and conclude with a comparison. With his fame announcing his courageous deeds before him, Victor Laszlo enters Rick's bar with a reputation of heroism in the resistance against fascism. Even stoical Rick expresses his admiration for Laszlo when he tells Renault that Laszlo has succeeded in impressing half the world. During the movie, Laszlo lives up to his heroic reputation with his inspiration of the French anthem, participation in the underground meeting, and his willingness to sacrifice his escape for Ilsa. In examining Laszlo's motives for his heroism, a conversation he has with Rick later on in the movie sheds some light. Laszlo has just returned from the resistance meeting that had been interrupted by police.

Rick asks, "Don't you sometimes wonder if it's worth all this? I mean, what you " re fighting for?" Laszlo answers, "You might as well question why we breathe. If you stop breathing, we " ll die. If we stop fighting our enemies, the world will die". Laszlo's motives came from his heart-felt belief in the cause of liberty and freedom from oppression.

Let us move our focus to Rick. As established towards the beginning of the movie by Rick's own comment, "I will not stick my neck out for nobody", the viewer immediately begins to formulate a characterization of Rick as selfish, isolated, and uncaring. Intimations of heroism come out as the plot progresses as Rick goes out of his way to help a Bulgarian woman and her husband win money at roulette for an escape. Also, suggesting the possibilities of Rick's heroism, Major Strasser reveals Rick's past military activities in opposition to oppression. In the last famous scene, Rick's heroism reaches an apex in his clandestine plot to free Laszlo and Ilsa.

His motives surface with his famous dialogue with Ilsa when he tells her, "Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You " re part of his work, the thing that keeps him going". His heroic act leads to the sacrifice of his love and life with Ilsa, his comfortable living in Casablanca, and his safe neutral position in the war. Finally, Renault presents the last hero portrayed in Casablanca. Renault, the French chief of police, presents a hypocritical opportunist who transforms into a patriot. In the beginning of the movie, Renault sets up a capture of a criminal for Strasser to observe simply to impress the German.

Another scene reveals that Renault uses his powerful position to trade sexual favors for visas. In a conversation with Strasser, Renault proclaims, "I have no conviction, if that's what you mean. I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy". Renault demonstrates his capricious loyalty when he ignores his friendship with Rick and closes Rick's bar. Despite all of these cowardly acts, Renault redeems himself with five words when he tells the car of soldiers, "Round up the usual suspects". Instead of identifying with the advantageous side in power, the story implies that Renault protects and befriends Rick, joins the fight against Fascism, and loses his comfortable Vichy job in Casablanca.

Renault's motives for his heroic actions appear to be disdain for the for the Vichy government as evidenced when he drops a bottle of Vichy water in the trash and the kicks over the trashcan. After reviewing the motives and consistency of the valor of each hero, Laszlo rises to the top. Laszlo maintains a consistently heroic character for the entire movie. Also Laszlo distinguishes himself as he directly or indirectly inspires the heroism of others.

Unlike Rick or Renault in the story, Laszlo never has a time where he is not actively involved in heroism for the cause of rebellion against fascism. His consistent devotion to the cause proves to be an impetus for others. Laszlo initiates nationalistic inspiration when the French national anthem is sung. He also encourages Rick to look inside himself and discover his own patriotism. In fact, the question must be asked, would Rick or Renault have ever demonstrated heroism if Laszlo had not come to Casablanca?

A hero inspires others to great things. Second, I would rank Rick ahead of Renault. Out of all three heroes, the viewer sympathizes with Rick the most for his sacrificial deeds. Rick's heroism came at the expense of Ilsa, his bar, and his neutrality. The same arguments of consistency and inspiration may be used with the comparison of Rick and Renault. Rick simply begins with a neutral and isolationist position, but Renault supports the Germans, uses his position for sexual favors, and closes Rick's bar.

Furthermore, Rick's actions created the forum for Renault to demonstrate heroism. In summary, the heroism of Laszlo ranked higher due to consistency and inspiration of others. Chronologically, Laszlo's heroism inspired Rick's heroism that led to Renault's heroism.