Part of ongoing series: Hollywood and Higher Education: Teaching Worldview thru the Stories We Live By
By changing the foundational story of Rick’s life from that of a self-centered love-betrayed to the story of a other-centered love renewed, Ilsa transforms Rick’s values and rule of life as well.
by Gary David Stratton • Senior Editor
Since its initial release seventy-five years ago, Casablanca has grown to become one of the most beloved films in the history of American cinema. Winner of three 1942 Academy Awards in (best picture, best writing, and best director) Casablanca is now recognized by the Writers Guild of America as the greatest screenplay of all time, and by the American Film Institute as the second greatest American movie ever.[1] Even in the high-tech world of Blu-ray players and streaming video, this black-and-white masterpiece remains an enduring favorite with both contemporary audiences and critics alike.
Casablanca also provides a compelling example of the four levels of worldview, and how change at the story level can lead to dramatic change in every level of worldview. Character development (both cinematic and moral) “flows” from the hidden recesses of our life story, where our unexamined presuppositions about reality form a worldview that guides our life in ways we rarely think about in our day-to-day existence. In life and great films, we experience our worldview on four overlapping, but distinguishable levels. [2]
Four Levels of Worldview
Level 1) Actions and Behaviors: The countless personal decisions and moral judgments we make on a daily basis make up the visible tip of the iceberg of our largely hidden worldview. We glide through thousands of “preconditioned” responses each hour—what to wear, where to live, who to befriend, when to lie, how to speak—simply doing what we do, without ever examining why we do them. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred these decisions predictably emerge from the lower levels of our worldview, usually without any conscious awareness of why we make them.
Level 2) Rule of Life: The next level of our worldview is found in the rules and roles defined for us in the traditions and ‘scripts’ society develops to maintain equilibrium, or the personal strategies developed by us to cope with the difficulties of life. At this level our worldview provides a ‘rule of life” that defines our relationships, and the boundaries and maxims we use to guide our own personal behavior. The clothes we buy, the worship we express, and even the words we use, are dictated by cultural expectations and personal habits far beyond our normal self-awareness.
The countless decisions we make each day are but the visible tip of the iceberg of our largely hidden worldview.
3) Value and Belief System: The rules and roles we follow on a daily basis are normally based upon a presuppositional value and beliefs system that undergird these conventions, (once again, usually sub-consciously.) These principles, doctrines, aphorisms, and symbols are the often unspoken “commanding truths, which define the ‘shoulds’ and ‘should nots’ of our experience, and accordingly, the good and evil…” [3] They provide the language and categories by which we unconsciously interpret reality and make sense out of our experiences of our life.
Level 4) Stories and ‘Scriptures’: The deepest level of our worldview is normally found in the stories of our life-shaping personal experiences and our community’s authoritative ‘scriptures’ that form the basis of our principles and strategies for living. The three upper levels are “embedded within narratives that often have overlapping themes and various myths that often reinforce common ideals.” [4] The personal and corporate stories we live by are self-evidently true to us (even if they are, in fact, hopelessly false). To question them is to question reality itself. [5]
Constructing a False Worldview
At first glance Rick seems the model narcissist, longing only to catch the last plane out of Casablanca while sticking his neck out for nobody.
Casablanca provides a beautiful example of all four levels of this process. Originally entitled, “Everyone Meets at Rick’s,” this masterpiece traces the worldview transformation of American expatriate and nightclub owner, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart). Set against the backdrop of Nazi-controlled but unoccupied north African territories of Vichy France during WWII, the movie opens with a bitter and cynical Rick Blaine making his daily decisions (level 1) out of a fairly consistent rule of life (level 2). He never drinks with customers, never commits to a woman, never takes sides in a political debate, and never intervenes to help others. His narcissistic value and belief system (level 3) leaves little room for anyone but himself, his alcoholism, his business, and his business partner, Sam. His value system (level 3) is clearly expressed in his famous rule of life (level 2), “I stick my neck out for nobody.”
Captain Louis Renault is the first to recognize a deeper story rumbling beneath Rick’s cynical shell
However, as the movie progresses we learn that Rick’s worldview wasn’t always so jaded. In fact, both French prefect Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) and Nazi Gestapo Major, Heinrich Strasser (Conrad Veidt) express concern that Rick’s current story might not be his true self. They note that there was once a time when Rick’s value and belief system led him to a rule of life marked by a heroic willingness to sacrificially fight against tyranny even in a losing cause. They don’t want Rick returning to this old rule of life by aiding Czech freedom fighter Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid) in his attempt to escape Casablanca (and the Nazi) by means of a pair of stolen letters of transit granting the bearers free passage on a flight to neutral Portugal.
Movie Clip 1: Captain Louis Renault Accuses Rick of a Deeper Story
The beautiful and enchanting Ilsa Lund stole Rick’s heart in a whirlwind Paris romance Paris only to break it as the German tanks rolled into Paris.
What Louis doesn’t know, is that Rick’s current rule of life and value system are driven by a heart-wrenching story (level 4). Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), a beautiful and enchanting Norwegian once stole Rick’s heart in a whirlwind Paris romance at the outset of WWII.
Movie Clip 2: Paris
However, after swearing her undying love, Ilsa abandons Rick just as the German army descends upon Paris. By the time Rick gets to Casablanca Ilsa’s betrayal provides the seething caldron of molten anguish driving Rick’s cynical value system and narcissistic rule of life. Like the city where he dwells in exile, his life is a desert with but one goal: escape.
A Different Story?
A guy standing on a station platform in the rain with a comical look on his face, because his insides had been kicked out.
This is the story Rick is living when Ilsa turns up in Casablanca as the traveling companion for none other than Victor Lazlo. Confronted anew with heartache of Paris, Rick’s narcissistic behavior only intensifies. Despite his admiration for Lazlo, Rick refuses to help the desperate couple. He stubbornly retains his “I stick my neck for nobody” rule of life even as Ilsa desperately tries to convey a different story than the one driving his current behavior.
Movie Clip 3: Ilsa Tries to Explain Her Story
Just when Rick’s journey toward the dark side seems complete, something happens that radically changes the interpretation of his entire life story. With the Nazi’s closing in and their every effort to escape Casablanca thwarted, the stolen letters of transit in Rick’s possession are now Isla and Lazlo’s only hope. A desperate Ilsa turns up at Rick’s apartment intent to do anything to obtain them.
Movie Clip 4: Midnight at Rick’s apartment
Ilsa’s startling admission begins to change Rick’s worldview at every level.
Ilsa’s startling admission that she still loves Rick begins to change Rick’s worldview at every level. He now knows that Ilsa left him behind in Paris only because she learned that Lazlo, her husband, was still alive. She was not living a story of a self-centered love betrayed, but rather one of heroic sacrifice. While no one yet realizes it, this new story of a sacrificial love-renewed (level 4) begins to invisibly reenergize Rick’s heroic value system (level 3), displacing his values of narcissism and his “I stick my neck out for nobody” rule of life (level 2).
In the iconic airport scene, Rick’s new worldview based upon his new story suddenly erupts into full view with a startling decision (level 1).
Clip 5: Rick and Ilsa at the Airport
Change the Story, Change the World
At the airport, Rick’s new story empowers him to not only give up his ticket to freedom, but Ilsa as well.
It turns out that Captain Louis Renault was right about Rick all along. The real Rick Blaine is, in fact, a hero. The pain of losing Ilsa had created a false life narrative, but once he knew the real story, his value system and rule of life came back on line. Rick decides to give away his tickets to freedom to Ilsa and her husband (level 1), because he has (re)embraced his rule of life of to fight against tyranny even in a losing cause (level 2), rooted in his rediscovered value of self-sacrificing heroism (level 3), birthed by his true life story (Level 4). By changing the foundational story of Rick’s life from that of a self-centered love-betrayed to a story of an other-centered love renewed, Isla transforms Rick’s values and rule of life as well. He now sticks his neck for everybody, even the husband of the woman he loves.
In the end, the power of Rick’s true story is becomes so compelling it returns Louis to his own true story, values, and rule of life.
Movie clip 6: A beautiful friendship
Everyone Meets at Rick’s
“This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” In the end, even Louis is caught up in Rick’s heroic transformation.
One reason why Casablanca resonates so deeply with audiences is our strong identification with Rick. We have all been hurt deeply. We all develop belief systems and strategies to protect ourselves from further pain. We all know what it is like to have those rules of life sabotage our heroic journey. We all know what it is like to be trapped in a life story that hurts everyone around us and yet we are powerless to change. We all want to believe that we are the master of our own fate, freely making our own choices at any given moment, when in reality our unexplored stories, unexamined values, and unexamined rules of life dictate much of our daily decision-making. Sooner or later, everyone meets at Rick’s.
For those who are willing to listen, the deepest longings of our heroic life story may be churning just beneath the surface and well worth the journey of further exploration. Over the course of this ongoing series I hope to help you do exactly that. I’m hoping this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Next posts in series:
Fiddler on the Roof: Worldview Change and the Journey to Life-Interpreting Story
The Volcano in Your Backyard: Micro-Worldviews and the Honeymoon from Hell
See also:
Hollywood and Higher Education: Teaching Worldview Through Academy Award-winning Films
Crash goes the Worldview: Why Worldview Transformation Requires Changing Scripts
It’s a Wonderful Worldview: Frank Capra’s Theistic Masterpiece
Bungee-Jumping to Eternity: The Existential Angst of Dead Poets Society
Deep Culture: Is Winning an Oscar a Reliable Indicator of a Truly Great Film?
If you Live it, They Will Come: The Blind Side and Better Faith-Based Filmmaking
Related Posts:
Using Zombie Movies to Teach Politics, by Daniel W. Drezner
The Joker Is Satan, and So Are We: René Girard and The Dark Knight, by Charles Bellinger
Notes
[1] Casablanca is currently #25 rating on the IMDB all-time best film list. Michael Curtiz, Julius J. Epstein, Howard Koch, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, et al. Casablanca (Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video, 1999). [2] Followers of Arthur F. Holmes’ will notice that I am using his categories for evaluating ethical decisions. See, Ethics: approaching moral decisions. Contours of Christian philosophy (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2007), 52-80. See also, Lawrence Kohlberg, The Development of Children’s Orientations Toward a Moral Order (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press); Carol Gilligan, In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women’s Development (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press); and, James W. Fowler, Stages of Faith: the Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981). [3] James Davidson Hunter, To Change the World (Oxford University Press, 2010), 32. To be fair, Hunter considers all four levels to be overlapping elements of “culture,” not worldview. However, this is at least somewhat a matter of semantic disagreement between philosophers (who study worldviews),and sociologists, like Hunter (who study cultures.) [4] Hunter, Change, 33. [5] What I am calling the ‘Story’ level of worldview is what philosopher James K. A. Smith refers to as the ‘pre-worldview’ level of ‘social Imaginary.’ “The social imaginary’ is an affective, noncognitive understanding of the world. It is described as an imaginary (rather than a theory) because it is fueled by the stuff of the imagination rather than the intellect: it is made up of, and embedded in, stories, narratives, myths, and icons. These visions capture our hearts and imaginations by “lining” our imagination, as it were— providing us with frameworks of “meaning” by which we make sense of our world and our calling in it. An irreducible understanding of the world resides in our intuitive, precognitive grasp of these stories. Desiring the Kingdom (Cultural Liturgies): Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Publishing Group, 2009), p. 68.
What caught my interest was the character that Rick portrayed. Initially he came across on the screen as a playboy with little care in the world except for his own selfish need. As we learn more about the character, we realize that he is actually a complex man. Mentioned in the movie that he often championed the underdogs, we begin to learn this man is a good guy. What I learned about the Rick is that he has each of the four levels of the world views but they may not be obvious. At the end when he was willing to let go of his love for a greater purpose, his moral character is clearly painted.
I think it's kind of fascinating how forgiving we are as viewers. The entire first half of the film portrayed Rick as selfish, rude and not willing to care about anyone other than himself. But, as soon as he started to turn "soft", we tend to forget about the way he was. Maybe he was hiding his true moral character all along or maybe he didn't have any until the passion of love ignited it??
I agree with you, most movies, Casablanca included, ask the viewer to belive that people change in an instant. When in fact, this is due to the fact that the movie must tell its story in a short period of time, and the measurement of time is very much lost in most movies.
Mao –
I agree with you Mao that he difinitely had a story to tell. He had morals that came out at the end of the movie by letting go of his love for Ilsa and sending her off with her husband which was the right thing to do.
Mao, I also saw Rick as a playboy type of guy at the beginning, but as the movie progressed, I learned so much more about Rick. Even though he protrayed himself to be selfish and only for self, but in the end God opened his eyes to reality and made him take a look at his moral beliefs. Which in turn he gave his ticket to Victor because that was the right thing to do morally.
First of all I want to say that I really enjoyed watching this movie. I was amazed to see all the changes that Rich went through to be the person he was at the end of the movie.At first, he seemed tough, liked to mind his own business and very neutral about politics…etc but he changed into a different person once IIsa entered the picture. I am not familiar with the four level of world views , but I learned from the movie that we go through life experiences that are sometimes good, sometimes bad. In the end, it is really up to us to chose the type of person we want to be.
I would like to challenge your thinking on this one and propose that it's not just up to us to chose the type of person we will be. I think some of life sort of happens to us and while we choose how to react, we don't necessarily choose what happens to us. Just a thought – playing devil's advocate just for fun. 🙂
I like how you said that we go through good experiences and bad experiences and we choose the type of person we want to be. That is so true! We may be influenced by outward things, but we decide if they are going to make us hard and callous or if we are going to let them make us stronger and remain good.
The story took place during WWII at a time when worldviews were clashing with life stories. There were those that supported the Nazi's and those that secretly worked against the regime. In the beginning Rick was cynical and uninvolved until he and the love of his life, paths crossed in Casablanca. As he learned the truth of why Ilsa did not meet him at the train station, his story began to change. In the end Ricks moral core began to lead him to make the right decision and he helped Ilsa and Victor escape so that they could continue their resistance against the Nazi's. He used good moral judgement, and let Ilsa know that her place was with Victor and let Victor know that what ever happened it was circumstances and not meant to be. Renault, a top French officier in Casablanca in the end covered up that Rick had allowed them to escape and had shot the German officer.
I wonder what it was that Rick had done in his past other than some arms dealings that were mentioned. It did not seem very difficult for him when he smoked that Nazi maybe it wasnt the first time.
That is the one aspect of movies that I dislike over books, the lack of back story. In a lot of books that would have been fleshed out a bit and that allows you to relate to the character much more.
I agree that in times of great turmoil, for example, war, we may see our worldview put to the test. It's easy to say what you will do when faced with a dilemma, but until we are forced to make a decision, we may not really know. Do the decisions we make on a daily basis give us the courage, fortitude we would need? I pray that they do.
Deb
Your comments are right on. Rick's morals steped in and he was able to make good decesions about every one involved.
I really did not know the four levels of worldview until now. It was interesting to read and study the four views. I see Rick from Casablanca as making the right choice at the end of the movie by letting IIsa leave with Victor (her husband). That was the moral thing to do. I see that as Level I as a moral/decisional worldview. Rick had a choice to make. He could have had an ongoing romantic affair with Ilsa but let her leave on the airplane with Victor. I became a Christian had a young age and I would say for the most part I have led a “moral” life due to my relationship with God. I believe our culture defines who we are and who we become. We all have freedom of choice and if we choose to make poor choices, we will pay consequences.
Linda,
I too believe my moral responsibilities come from being a Christian at a young age. It becomes difficult at times when we are faced with this type of a situation. I believe our faith brings us to the "right" decision.
Like we learned from our last class all choices have consequences both good and bad. Not only does culture influence our decisions but unexpected life events.
Rick was selfish at the start of the movie because he had been hurt. He pulled himself away from anyone else that could hurt him. When Ilsa came back into the picture, he felt the hurt all over again but he realized how much she was willing to sacrifice for Victor. It did change him as a person and helped him to open up and realize the right thing to do. Many times throughout my life I have had to sacrifice my happiness for someone elses needs. There needs to be a balance between what your needs are and what you are willing to sacrifice. Too many times I find myself giving to others and not thinking about my own needs.
I thought you were very honest with your post. I had to reflect on a time in my life when I did that as well, gave to others before myself. But I soon realized in my experience that I wasn't really helping anyone much less myself. Now I listen but only encourage and that seems to make more of a difference. Have you ofound the same?
perhaps, Rick felt the same way, thats why he developed the saying "I put my neck out for no one." I think part of creating a healthy balance is self care. I am trying to give myself permission to say, "no"
Shawna,
I agree with you completely. It can be hard sometimes to give up what we want so that others can be happy, but after you do and you get to see the results of that sacrifice it makes it all worthwhile. Wouldn't it be such a great place if more people realized this and were willing to help?
Some times it is difficult to make sacrifices in order to help others but it is such a rewarding feeling. God recognizes our sacrifices and in most cases abundently blessess those that help others.
Shawna,
I agree that there is a balance that is needed in our lives between making sacrifices and not cheating ourselves. If we do that too much, we end up bitter and unhappy.
Colleen Lasher
You make a good point in the fact that putting others first is a good thing but we must not loose sight of our own needs. We need to take care of ourselfes so we can be in good conditions to care for others.
Giving of one self is a noble and good way to be and it is good that you are aware of it. So often the ones that give, give to much at times and get overwelmed. Giving is part of having a good story.
Rick put the interest of Victor Laszlo above his in order for Victor to accomplich his quest in life by allowing he and his wife Lisa to escape from Casablanca. Rick had to put aside his true feelings for Lisa and do what is right.The inpact it has on my life is that I find it fascinating to put others interest ahead of mine knowing how much it would benefit that person at a critical time.
I agree with you on what an impact it has on one's life when you put other's interest in front of your own. Rick could have very well went the other way and had an ongoing relationship with Ilsa. Good moral choice on Rick's part.
It is interesting that you use the word fascinating in your comment about making sacrifices for others. Hopefully the others make good use of your generousity.
I enjoyed the movie, however, I did not find it life changing. Perhaps I have missed something? I understand the Four Levels of Worldview, that is also interesting and makes a lot of sense to me. I do not find that putting other people's needs before my own to be that noble, it is part of life. My needs are not any more important than that of others. Yes, it was wonderful that he ultimately let her go, but that was the right thing to do. Rick did develop along the way, that was apparent and I enjoyed watching the transformation, but I was not as blown away as some of my classmates, I look forward to Thursday to learn what I missed.
It’s not just that Rick put others’ needs before his own. When the circumstances are factored in, Rick’s decision suddenly becomes extraordinary. First, Rick had set up a pattern, a set of rules, dictating that he put his own interests above everyone else’s. This was reinforced daily in the city. If he didn’t follow his rules, then someone would be ready to take advantage of him, at least until he achieved a position of strength.
Second, Lazlo had the one thing that Rick really wanted: Ilsa. Lazlo had her love, respect and commitment. These are things that any man wants from a relationship. Most of all, Rick wanted them from Ilsa. Granted, she said that she was willing to leave Lazlo to be with Rick, but there would always be a question in Rick’s mind if she had done that completely voluntarily.
Finally, Rick had the opportunity to leave Casablanca. Everyone in the city was looking to leave, and Rick had the ability. It would not have cost him anything.
Finally, Lazlo represented what Rick was against: selfless giving to a cause that would never offer any return.
Based on the worldview he had at the beginning of the movie, there was not one reason for Rick to help Lazlo. In the end, Rick not only helped Lazlo, he did so at the expense of all the security and prosperity that he had worked hard to accumulate. Rick burned just about every bridge behind him to make sure that Lazlo and Ilsa were safe, and that Lazlo’s work could continue.
Casablanca isn’t necessarily a life-changing movie. It’s a movie of a life that was changed.
Hi Tom,
I understand your points, however, it was too much of a stretch for me. I find it highly unlikely that given the same set of circumstances, in the "real world" , that Rick would have made the same decisions.
Rick was too jaded at that point in his life. The viewer was lead to believe that there was a long history of making questionable decisions to get him to where he was at Rick's. Can people change? Maybe…..but I believe if it was the real world, the imminent occupation of Germany, he would have taken the papers and left with Sam (loyalty) as soon as he had the papers and before Ugarte was killed. However, if that had been the script, the movie would be a classic for other reasons.
I am not trying to be cynical, it was a good movie and I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night.
Tom, I'm not so sure Lazlow had Ilsa's love, respect and commitment. She was willing to leave him at the drop of a hat if Rick said go. Rick wanted her until he found out she was married and the story behind it. I think Rick is far more noble of a person than Ilsa in this case. He wanted to do what was right for others, she just wanted to do what her passion wanted her to do. She was thinking selfishly with her heart, not her mind.
I was not blown away either. I very much agree with you on the part about putting other's needs before your own not being noble. You, as well as I, as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, do this on a daily basis. But why do we do this? What makes us feel that this is what we should do? Especially since there are many people that don't put other's needs before their own. Something in our lives has shown us, taught us, that this is what is right. This must be part of our "worldview." That's how I look at it.
I've been asking myself the same question lately, why do we (I) do this? My grandmother passed away last week and I traveled back to Texas for the funeral. It was an opportunity to celebrate her life and the stories that were shared really brought back memories for me. I was humbled thinking about how many people's lives she influenced just within our family, not to mention her other friends or acquaintances. The timing of this, along with the reading for this class, have led me to think more about who I am and why I'm the way I am. It's not easy, but it is amazing to remember all of the people that have influenced me (without realizing it in many cases) and recognize a part of them in me. I feel kind of like a patchwork quilt. 🙂
Earnie, Wow! Talk about a significant time in your life to take this course. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, but I rejoice with you in the life of your grandmother. I think that we Americans think far too little of the legacy we are leaving those who come after us by living a dynamic life story. It sure sounds like your Grandmother gifted your entire family with a life well lived!
Jeannie,
I have to admire your response and look forward to hearing more from you in class. Your honesty is great. I agree that I didn't find it life changing, but I wonder if at the time this film aired it had more of an impact. It was a little to "hollywood" for me. War was much messier than that.
I did not think that the "Rick" we saw at the beginning of the movie was really Rick. He was a symbol/extension of the selfish, narcissistic behavior that was the city of Casablanca. In my opinion, he did not change at the end of the movie as much as he became himself again. I thought Laszlo represented who Rick used to be and who he would later become. That is part of the reason Ilsa struggled to choose between them.
Good point, i also thought that rick didn't as much change as a person, but change back into the person he once was. I think the character showed that while it is human to allow emotions to dictate your life at times, as in the case of rick, his morals were the deciding factor in the way he chose to live his life.
Hi Jeannie, I understand your point of view. There are other movies where the transformation is drastic and life changing. In Casablanca's case, the story is more of a love story. May be the movie had a greater impact during the time when it was made but I have seen similar love stories where the hero sacrifices for his/her love.
I didn't find Casablanca "life changing either". I think Rick was dealing with emotions just like the rest of us, only played out in a good story. I somewhat disagree though about doing the right thing always coming naturally. I think when emotions are running high, it's not always easy to think of others first. Hope it doesn't sound selfish — just being honest.
i agree Belinda, doing the right this doesn't always come natural, especially when your emotions are running high. Look at it today, i don't know if i could have let her go for a greater good, i think it would be a hard decision for anyone to make a decision between, being with the one you love and letting her go regardless of morals.
Jeannie I completely agree with you. Call me crazy but I was morality was always an expectation for me growing up. I cant imagine why Rick would do anything different. What kind of life would he lead having done what he had done to Lazio. I believe he always had it in him, he just wasn't in the proper environment to demonstrate his vulnerability.
Jeannie:
I agree with you. I was not blown away by this movie either. I thought it was a cheesy, early Hollywood predictable film. But, perhaps I missed something as well?
-Melissa
What I learned about the four levels of worldview in Casablanca and their impact on my life is how our unexamined presupposition affects our decision every day without us really thinking about it. There are tons of decisions that I have made without really thinking about them. Our moral, our culture defines every decision that I make and every actions that I take. I never once thought to reflect as to why I tend to make those decisions. Many times my experience definitely plays a role of how I look at life and helps guide my decisions. In Casablanca, where Rick got hurt through Ilsa not coming with him to Casablanca, he turns away from being an activist to only concerning about having a merry life and not fighting for causes that he feel are no longer worthwhile. There are times that my culture, my background pushes me to make certain decision on pertaining to certain issue. I can see that there are times, my decisions are based on culture and others are based on my personal experiences.
I have seen many people where they take the road that Rick takes in regards to living a life of betrayal. He wants nothing to do with drinking with his customers and friends, due to his betrayal. I have gone through an experience similar in my life where my fiancé left me for no real reason. I could have taken the same route Rick did but I choose not to. It took time for me to heal but once that was over, I allow myself to meet new people again and treat them with the same trust and belief that they will show me and not based my decisions on that past experiences.
It takes a big person to move ahead in life after such a significant disappointment. Good for you.
As for me I feel lke 'Rick' with my past life…..I was hard cold, even cocky! I know what your saying, "no not you"; well yes i was like that! As I see as in ministry you have to listen not only listen but to hear people listening and then make a descision.
This is what Rick finnally did..he listened!
Well said – Listening plays a huge part in communication but unfortunately, this is the area where we often don't do so well. Rick in the movie finally listened to IIsa and that gave him the strenght he much needed to make the decision to let her go.
Andre,
Many people are still like your description of Rick, but many are finding their way through prayer and the strength of their faith. It is like an old saying that I heard many years ago which can relate to Rick "sometimes the best decisions are not the easiest". Rick set aside his own selfish needs for instant gratification and realize the good that Victor was doing. The world would be a better place if there were many more people like Rick in this world.
I know exactly what you are talking about Dre. I have a t-shirt that totally sums me up. It says: I'm not the man I ought to be, but thank God I'm not the man I used to be. Thanks for being honest.
I think many people can relate to your personal experience as we all have been "Rick" one time or another. Listening is a lot harder than it seems , but I'm glad that God has been able to work in you.
The insight I gained about worldview from viewing "Casablanca" and reading the article, "Casablanca and Four Levels of Worldview" was mostly new to me. I was particularly challenged by the thought of "gliding through thousands of preconditioned responses…", as I think that is often my way of doing life. On another note, I also appreciated seeing that we can "change our story" by conscious planning and decisions to change. This was evident in the character, Rick, in Casablanca. Though he wrestled with his emotions, his relationships, and his views of life–ultimately, he chose to do the right (and more difficult) thing by helping Ilse and Victor to leave.
Seeing the weaving of his story and changes in his attitude, and actions certainly was encouraging to me as I contemplate changes which need to be made in my life. Rick modeled transformation of heart, which ultimately was for the good of others. I appreciated the challenge to examine my views, attitudes, and actions, with the insight gained from thinking through Four Levels of Worldview, and anticipate this to be an ongoing process of transformation.
"Rick modeled transformation of heart" I love that phrase. That is even truer than you know. Well said!
I agree, it was an amazing transformation in Rick. Its surprising to see how people can really change you and affect you. I wonder, after reading through the four level of worldviews and reflecting to question, what it would have been if Rick had never allow the emotions of failure, guilt, or even betrayal to have such an impact on his life, what could have been?
It is wonderful to know that we can change, we do not have to go through life bitter, disillusioned and cold. We can change. No matter what has happened to us, we can change that heartache into something good. It's not always about us.