Running from death or walking towards death is a common theme throughout literature. A passage to a different life is the theme shared by “Because I Could not stop for Death” and Casablanca they differ in that one is a journey taken with Death as a companion, while the other is a journey to escape death.…
When it comes to film, there are many examples which would be considered, “historically accurate” to the time that the film is portraying. Many films such as Glory, Gettysburg, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Gods and Generals to name a few in my opinion, accurately portray the events and situations in history. When dealing with the french film, Le Retour de Martin Guerre, many aspects of the Movie that I found are historically accurate, while some of the situations portrayed, are unfortunately not.…
The return of Martin Guerre is a story of a peasant who left his wife, Bertrande and his son. After several years, a man called Arnaud du Tilh impersonated Martin Guerre, stole his identity and lived under Martin’s name for three years until he became accused of this act. He almost convinced the court that he was Martin Guerre until the real Martin walked into the curt. Davis, the author of the book illustrates why Martin Guerre left his family and inheritance, how the imposter came into Bertrande’s life , and how economic and religion were playing a role in the sixteenth century society.…
Humans have always been intrigued by secrets. From the earliest times we've tried to find conspiracies, sometimes even where none exist. There are thousands of conspiracy theories, ranging from the esoteric and the paranormal to regular assassinations and wars. And cinema too has had its fair share, some of which are definitely worth looking into. Here are the ones that have conspired to get into the top 10 list.…
Michael Curtiz’s audience is clear, he appeals to both the men and women affected by World War II. At first, one may only think that Casablanca was for those who enjoyed a love story. The love between Rick and Ilsa would make any girl go weak at the knees. It is also possible to look at Casablanca from a political propaganda point of view, everyone watching the film was affected by World War II and in return may have felt the need to do something to help bring an end to the war.…
Every single event or incident a person commits is driven by some kind of motivation whether good or bad. Regardless of the intention there are two types of motivation: Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivation, intrinsic is being motivated by self-satisfaction and extrinsic is motivated by en external reward. In the memoir The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore, there are a series of events or incidents in the second half of the book that display that variety of motivation that exists. Having read the book one may argue that the author Wes Moore was motivated by more intrinsic drive whereas the other Wes was motivated more by extrinsic drive.…
Source music plays a critical role in the movie Casablanca. The role of source music was to create an atmosphere of superficiality that covers Rick’s Café. Rick would barricade himself in this superficial world, and the absence of underscoring reflects his lack of emotion until Ilsa comes in. Source music was used to differentiate Ricks Café with its rival The Blue Parrot. Rick’s Café was identified as American because it played American popular music while the Blue Parrot played Arabian music. Lastly source music is used as a singing competition between the Germans who sing “Die Wacht am Reihn” and the French who sing “Marseillaise”. The French tune eventually overwhelms the German creating stirring scene and leading to Major Strasser conclusion that Laszlo must die.…
The short story “Hard Times” by Ron Rash, focuses on the effects that depression has on society. The main characters in the story are Jacob and Edna, who are farmers in a rural community in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the story begins, Edna has once again noticed that the eggs from a particular hen is missing. Though she has several other hens, who are laying, she contributes those missing eggs to adding to their poverty. Edna, who was once a very happy person has been soured by the effects of poverty and now stands tight lipped in the door of the henhouse. Jacob makes the comment, "This cove’s so damn dark a man about has to break light with a crowbar” . This comment sets the tone of the story, one of darkness which is a result of poverty.…
The opening scene in this movie has the same effect on the viewers as ‘Cache’, anxiety and discomfort. Immediately, we see a man who appears to be a prisoner of the French military. They order him to put on one of their uniforms and to expose Ali La Pointe’s hideout spot. The man refuses and tries escaping, but gets hit. This sets the tone for the rest of the movie, as it is obvious that there will be a confliction between the French military and Algerian citizens. In the next scene, we see the commander speaking to several people hiding inside a wall, and that is where we meet Ali La Pointe. He is asked to come out from behind the wall, weaponless, and to surrender. A couple minutes later, we see Ali’s attempt at escaping the police, which was almost successful until he gets tripped by a young Frenchman. Rather than picking himself up to avoid arrest, Ali resorts to violence and headbutts this young man. His actions create chaos in the streets, and many people get involved. Again, unnecessary and avoidable conflict. The rest of the scene lists all of Ali’s criminal past, and we learn that he is a violent person based off his record. A few minutes later, we see one of Ali’s fellow Algerians violently getting beheaded. This type of terror is seen throughout the entire…
Throughout The chronicles of James Bond, multiple films, specifically You Only live Twice, directed Lewis Gilbert and Casino Royale, directed by Martin Campbell, follow the actions and missions of agent 007. For the duration of both films, the viewer follows protagonist and hero, James Bond through multiple exotic locations, fast paced activities and intense missions. Throughout the texts, James Bond displays some questionable characteristics which may reflect negatively towards the question, what characteristics make up a modern hero? Focusing on such characteristics, as intelligence, arrogance, and desirability. The following texts will analyse and determine the answer to the stated question.…
To detach from the familiar and to immerse into the unknown is a familiar process to human beings. From leaving a mothers womb to attending college, human beings are constantly confronted with change. However, persistent change does not facilitate the process required to assimilate. In the novel, A Street in Marrakech, Elizabeth Fernea embarks on a journey to Morocco and is met with resentment and belligerence. Her tale as an outsider, searching for the essence of Marrakech that is concealed to most Westerners, exemplifies immersing oneself into the unknown.…
- Sam out of focus in the foreground whilst Ilsa is in focus in background, medium shot…
Allowing your past opens up boundaries like never before. Therefore, one must accept his or her experiences, and puts them to daily uses. In memoir Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne Houston reflects on her departure from the internment camp and accepts her new identity as a survivor. After enduring many obstacles of the camp, former experiences guide her to new life.…
The "Gentleman" in Ivan Bunin’s, "The Gentleman from San Francisco", believes that he deserves his happiness because “…first he was rich, and second, despite his fifty-eight years, he was just about to enter the stream of life's pleasures” (Bunin, pg. 447). This man represents the archetype of a Western Capitalist and leads a shallow life investing his entire life into accumulating a comfortable wealth and establishing a family. The gentleman feels this entitlement because he has followed this ‘poshlost’ pursuit of the ‘American Dream’ for a majority of his lifetime, and “until now he had not really lived, but simply existed…”, rendering this trip well deserved, since it will contribute towards his happiness (Bunin, pg. 447). Moreover, this…
Throughout different types of literature the lesson of the story can be very similar. In the play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder and movie Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen, the underlining theme of both tales compliments each other. “Our Town” takes place in a small town where two families live next to each other and their children who experience together life, marriage, and death. In the movie Midnight in Paris, a writer, Gil Pender, gets the chance to travel back in time to his golden age, the 1920’s, where he meets his idols. During both of the storylines, the main character comes to terms with the admonition that life is commonly taken for granted.…