Cabaret (1972)

Brief Intro

“Cabaret,” directed by Bob Fosse, is a 1972 musical drama set in 1931 Berlin during the rise of the Nazi Party. The film stars Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a vivacious American cabaret singer, and Michael York as Brian Roberts, a British academic. The story unfolds within the Kit Kat Klub, a decadent nightclub, serving as a microcosm of the political and social upheavals of the time.

Literary Devices Used in Cabaret

Irony

Movie Scene	Example of Irony
Sally singing “Life is a Cabaret”	The song’s upbeat tone contrasts with the grim reality of the era.
The Kit Kat Klub’s Emcee’s performances	Dark humor in performances highlights the underlying societal decay.

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Example of Symbolism
The Kit Kat Klub	Represents the hedonistic and chaotic nature of Weimar Germany.
The Nazi emblem appearing on screen	Foreshadows the impending political shift and its impact.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Example of Foreshadowing
The rise of Nazi youth seen in the club	Hints at the growing influence of the Nazi Party.
Sally’s naive comments about politics	Foreshadows her later realization of the political turmoil.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Example of Metaphor
“Money” musical number	Money as a metaphor for moral decay and corruption.
The cabaret performances	Represent the distraction from the harsh reality outside.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Example of Allegory
The entire Kit Kat Klub setting	An allegory for the fragile and superficial world of pre-WWII Germany.
Performances mocking political figures	Reflect the thin veneer of freedom in a crumbling society.

Satire

Movie Scene	Example of Satire
The Emcee’s satirical songs	Critique the political situation and societal norms.
The “If You Could See Her” song	Satirizes anti-Semitism and societal prejudices.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Example of Juxtaposition
Scenes of decadence inside the club vs. outside unrest	Highlights the stark contrast between the nightclub’s revelry and the growing chaos.
Sally’s carefree attitude vs. Brian’s seriousness	Showcases different approaches to life and politics.

Motif

Movie Scene	Example of Motif
Repeated Kit Kat Klub performances	Emphasize the constant presence of escapism.
Use of mirrors in scenes	Reflects self-perception and the duality of characters.

Hyperbole

Movie Scene	Example of Hyperbole
Sally’s exaggerated performances	Emphasize her larger-than-life persona and escapism.
The Emcee’s over-the-top acts	Highlight the absurdity of the times.

Allusion

Movie Scene	Example of Allusion
References to historical events	Allusions to the rising tide of Nazism and its consequences.
Sally’s lifestyle choices	Allude to the broader hedonistic culture of the era.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Sally Bowles

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Sally’s carefree nature contrasts with the dire political situation.
Symbolism	Sally represents the fleeting nature of happiness and denial.

Brian Roberts

Literary Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Brian’s serious demeanor contrasts with Sally’s frivolity, highlighting his internal conflict.
Foreshadowing	Brian’s growing discomfort with the political climate foreshadows his eventual departure.

The Emcee

Literary Device	Explanation
Satire	The Emcee’s performances mock and critique the political and social norms of the time.
Allegory	The Emcee serves as an allegory for the obliviousness and denial prevalent in society.

Character Dynamics

• Sally and Brian: Their relationship highlights the tension between escapism and confronting reality. Brian’s grounding nature contrasts with Sally’s flightiness, driving the narrative forward.
• Sally and The Emcee: Their interactions underscore the escapist nature of the Kit Kat Klub, with the Emcee often serving as a mirror to Sally’s own denial and hedonism.

Thematic Analysis

Politics and Society

Literary Device	Explanation
Allegory	The Kit Kat Klub as a microcosm of Weimar Germany.
Satire	The Emcee’s performances critique the political apathy and societal issues.

Identity and Self-Perception

Literary Device	Explanation
Motif	Repeated use of mirrors to symbolize self-reflection and duality.
Irony	Characters’ self-perception often contrasts with reality.

Escapism

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The cabaret represents a space of escape from the harsh realities outside.
Hyperbole	Exaggerated performances highlight the desperate need for escapism.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Visual Technique	Sound Technique	Explanation
Irony	Contrasting lighting	Juxtaposition in soundtrack	Light-hearted scenes with dark undertones.
Symbolism	Visual motifs	Recurring musical themes	Mirrors, Nazi symbols, repeated songs.
Foreshadowing	Visual clues	Leitmotif	Subtle visual hints and recurring musical cues.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene 1: “Money”

• Link: YouTube Link
• Analysis: The “Money” musical number uses hyperbole and satire to critique the obsession with wealth, serving as a metaphor for moral decay. The visual extravagance and catchy tune contrast sharply with the underlying message.

Scene 2: “If You Could See Her”

• Link: YouTube Link
• Analysis: This scene employs satire to highlight the absurdity and cruelty of anti-Semitism. The Emcee’s exaggerated performance masks a serious critique of societal prejudices.

Scene 3: “Tomorrow Belongs to Me”

• Link: YouTube Link
• Analysis: This scene uses foreshadowing and irony. The initially innocent song sung by a youth turns ominous as it becomes clear it’s a Nazi anthem, foreshadowing the coming horrors.

Conclusion

Interactive Quiz

1. Which literary device is primarily used in the “Money” musical number?
   • a) Allegory
   • b) Hyperbole
   • c) Satire
   • d) Juxtaposition
2. How does the use of mirrors in the film function as a literary device?
   • a) Symbolism
   • b) Foreshadowing
   • c) Allegory
   • d) Hyperbole
3. What theme is highlighted by the contrasting scenes inside the Kit Kat Klub and the external political turmoil?
   • a) Identity
   • b) Escapism
   • c) Love
   • d) Wealth