Written Response Requirements

1. Written Response Requirements Make and support an argument

2. Step 1: Introduce “Text” • Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton • Casablanca, Michael Curtiz Tim Burton’s fanciful film Edward Scissorhands raises the question of how humanity should truly be defined. Is it really about being made of flesh and bone or is it about what dwells within the soul? Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, transports viewers to Casablanca, Morrocco during World War II. It is in Casablanca that viewers are introduced to a wide array of characters all trying to escape from something.

3. Step 2: Make an argument • E.S.: The main character Edward shows that humanity is determined by what resides within the soul and not by what composes the outer shell of a person. • Casablanca: Despite their efforts to escape, the characters who congregate at Rick’s Café reflect the impossibility of escaping the past.

4. Other argument examples • Edward’s personality and emotions are reflected in the topiaries he creates. • Rick may seem to change through the film, but in actuality, he is really a caring character throughout.

5. Step 3: Identify Relevant Evidence Argument: Edward’s personality and emotions are reflected in the topiaries he creates. • Edward’s early excitement when he gets to suburbia-fanciful and fun dinosaurs and dancing ballerinas • Upset-The demon with the red glowing eyes outside of Esmeralda's window the night when Edward goes on his rampage • Desperate desire for normalcy-the hand shown outside of the mansion in the final moments of the film

6. Identifying Relevant Evidence Argument: The characters who congregate at Rick’s Café reflect the impossibility of escaping the past. • Lazlo’s past in a concentration camp-Germans track him down to Casablanca • Ilsatelling Rick that she tried to forget about him and but she couldn’t • Rick, who ran off to Morrocco to get away from memories of Ilsa, has her show up • Rick’s past of being a freedom fighter rallied by the end as seen when he walks away from the airport with Renault • Lyrics to “As Time Goes By”

7. Step 4: Improve Specificity of Evidence Lyrics to “As Time Goes By” “You must remember this”-the opening line Edward’s fanciful topiary as a sign of his comfort and happiness When he first arrived in the suburbs and was initially unsure of himself in the new world. This is seen in his initial transformation of the Bogg’s shrub. He starts with a hesitant snip of a stray branch. Yet as he gains comfort, not only in his hedge trimming but in his place in the Boggs’ home, he begins to snip furiously until the shrub is suddenly shaped in to a toy-like, though massive, T-rex.

8. Step 5: Analyze, Explain, or Elaborate on Evidence “You must remember this/A kiss is just a kiss/A sigh is just a sigh” “Sam I thought I told you never to play…” The use of this song is not accidental. Instead, it clearly reflects how the past cannot be left behind despite Rick’s attempts to keep it in his past. At the very start, the song commands, “You must remember this. . ..” This simple phrase indicates the impossibility of forgetting about past loves or washing away old emotions; they must be remembered because they cannot be forgotten. When he first arrived in the suburbs and was initially unsure of himself in the new world. This is seen in his initial transformation of the Bogg’s shrub. He starts with a hesitant snip of a stray branch. Yet as he gains comfort, not only in his hedge trimming but in his place in the Boggs’ home, he begins to snip furiously until the shrub is suddenly shaped in to a T-rex. Edward doesn’t create a frightening dinosaur. Instead it appears to be a smiling dinosaur, toothless and pot-bellied. Through shaping it in this way, it shows his childish whimsy and optimism in his new role in the suburban world.

9. Step 6: Put it all together (include class vocabulary) Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, transports viewers to Casablanca, Morrocco during World War II. It is in Casablanca that viewers are introduced to a wide array of characters all trying to escape from something. Despite their efforts to escape, the characters who congregate at Rick’s Café and the music played there reflect the the impossibility of escaping the past. One such character is Rick himself who has fled to Morrocco to try to drown the memories of his painful past of being left waiting for Ilsa in the pouring rain at the train station as the German troops march in to Paris. Rick tries so desperately to forget her, obviously unsuccessfully, that he even angrily says to Sam, “I thought I told you never to play” “As Time Goes By” when he hears it in his bar. At this reunion moment Ilsa, Rick, and the song are brought together again, and Rick’s past is revived. Hidden within the lyrics of this song the theme is repeated. The use of this song is not accidental. Instead, it clearly reflects how the past cannot be left behind despite Rick’s attempts to keep it in his past. At the very start, the lyrics command, “You must remember this. . ..” This simple phrase indicates the impossibility of forgetting about past loves or washing away old emotions; they must be remembered because they cannot be forgotten. Despite his efforts to forget her, fate brings Ilsa back in to his life. Having Ilsa appear in his café may be a major device which spurs the plot in to action, but she is the also a symbol of the past churning itself up. Thus, through the characters and song lyrics, Casablanca pushes forth the theme that the past is inescapable. Maybe this is also why this film as remained such a timeless classic.