Zeitgeist of the Time: Modern Times and The Great Dictator

This blog is part of Thinking Activity.Which given by Dr.Dilip Barad sir to explore Zeitgeist of the Time: Modern Times and The Great Dictator.

Introduction

Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator (1940) and Modern Times (1936) are masterpieces that blend satire and pathos to critique societal issues. The Great Dictator takes aim at fascism and authoritarianism, using humor and symbolism to convey its anti-tyranny message. In contrast, Modern Times examines the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. Both films showcase Chaplin’s brilliance in using visual storytelling, framing, and poignant performances to address pressing socio-political themes.

Modern Times

Modern Times is a 1936 American part-talkie comedy film produced, written and directed by Charlie Chaplin. 

Frame Study

The film follows the misadventures of Chaplin's "Little Tramp" character as he struggles to navigate the challenges of modern industrial life:

1. The Factory Worker: The Tramp works on an assembly line where he faces relentless and mechanical tasks. His attempt to keep up with the machinery leads to a breakdown, landing him in a mental institution.

2. After Release: Upon release, he is mistakenly arrested as a communist agitator. Despite this, he remains optimistic and tries to find work.

3. Meeting the Gamine: The Tramp befriends a homeless girl (the Gamine) who is fleeing authorities after stealing food. Together, they dream of a better life.

4. Struggles and Hope: The Tramp takes up various jobs, including a factory worker and a singing waiter, often with comic failures. Despite numerous setbacks, he and the Gamine remain hopeful and supportive of each other.

5. The Ending: The film ends on a poignant note, with the Tramp and the Gamine walking hand in hand down a road, symbolizing resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

Themes in Modern Times

1. Industrialization and Dehumanization :

The film critiques the dehumanizing effects of industrialization, where workers are reduced to mechanical cogs in a vast system. The factory scenes, particularly the Tramp’s struggle with the assembly line, symbolize how machines dominate human lives, stripping individuals of their identity and agency.

2. Economic Hardship and Class Struggle

Set during the Great Depression, Modern Times portrays the harsh realities of unemployment, poverty, and hunger. Both the Tramp and the Gamine represent the struggles of the working class, highlighting the challenges of survival in a society that offers little support to the marginalized.

 3.Resilience and Hope

Despite constant setbacks, the Tramp and the Gamine maintain a sense of optimism. Their perseverance in pursuing happiness reflects the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity, offering a message of hope amidst despair.

4. Individual vs. Modern Society :

The film contrasts the simplicity and humanity of the Tramp’s character with the impersonal and mechanical nature of modern society. It questions whether technological progress truly benefits humanity or erodes personal freedom and dignity.

5. Romance as an Escape :

The bond between the Tramp and the Gamine provides emotional solace and a sense of purpose in a chaotic world. Their relationship symbolizes the importance of human connection as a counterbalance to the alienation brought about by industrialization and economic turmoil.

Symbols in Modern Times

1. The Assembly Line

The assembly line symbolizes the dehumanization and monotony of industrialization. Workers, including the Tramp, are treated as cogs in the machine, forced to work at an inhumane pace. The relentless machinery represents the loss of individuality and humanity in the face of technological progress.

2. The Factory Machinery

The giant gears of the factory symbolize the crushing, impersonal forces of industrial capitalism. The Tramp’s iconic scene of being swallowed by the gears represents the worker’s subjugation to and entrapment within the mechanical system.

3. The Tramp’s Wrench

The wrench used by the Tramp to tighten bolts symbolizes his futile attempt to adapt to the demands of the industrial world. His repetitive, almost robotic movements with the tool highlight the loss of creative and meaningful labor in a mechanized workplace.

4. The Road at the End

The final image of the Tramp and the Gamine walking down an open road symbolizes resilience and hope. It suggests that despite the challenges of modern life, there is always the possibility of moving forward and finding a better future.

6. Satire of Authority and Institutions :

The film subtly critiques societal institutions, from the justice system to industrial capitalism, showing their inability to address the needs of ordinary people. This theme underscores the disconnect between authority figures and the struggles of the common man.

The Great Dictator

The Great Dictator is a 1940 American political satire black comedy film written, directed, produced by, and starring, British filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. 

Frame Study of The Great Dictator

1. Opening Scene: The Battlefield (1918)

Establishes the protagonist as a Jewish barber and contrasts comedy with the horrors of war. The absurdity of war is conveyed through physical comedy, mocking militarism.

2. Hynkel’s Speech

Satirizes Adolf Hitler’s oratory style and highlights the dangers of authoritarian propaganda. Low-angle shots and gibberish language emphasize the absurdity and menace of dictatorship.

3. The Globe Dance

Illustrates Hynkel’s megalomania and delusional ambition to dominate the world. The inflatable globe symbolizes the fragility of the world under dictatorial control.

4. Barber and Hannah’s Bond

Offers a counterpoint to violence and oppression, focusing on human resilience and kindness. Hannah embodies optimism and the dream of freedom.

5. The Final Speech

Directly addresses the audience with a heartfelt plea for peace, democracy, and humanity. The sincerity of the barber’s words shifts the tone from satire to earnestness, urging viewers to reject tyranny.

Themes in The Great Dictator

1. The Absurdity of Dictatorship

The film ridicules the egotism, vanity, and cruelty of authoritarian leaders through the character of Adenoid Hynkel, a satirical representation of Adolf Hitler. His exaggerated behavior, from his theatrical speeches to his obsession with power, highlights the absurdity and danger of totalitarian rule.

2. Oppression and Persecution

The plight of the Jewish community in the film reflects the harsh realities of racial discrimination and systemic oppression under fascist regimes. The ghetto scenes show the fear and suffering of marginalized groups, exposing the brutality of prejudice and state-sponsored violence.

3. Humanity vs. Tyranny

At its core, the film is a plea for compassion and humanity in the face of dehumanization. The barber’s final speech serves as a powerful call to reject hatred and embrace kindness, unity, and freedom. This contrast between humane values and the inhumanity of dictatorship underscores the film’s moral message.

4. The Role of Satire in Politics

By using humor and exaggeration, The Great Dictator disarms the fear associated with dictators and exposes their flaws. Chaplin demonstrates how satire can be a potent tool to challenge oppressive ideologies and provoke critical thinking.

5. The Hope for Universal Brotherhood

The film ends with an optimistic vision for the future, advocating for democracy, equality, and a world without division. This theme resonates in the barber’s speech, which transcends the boundaries of the film to address humanity directly.

6. The Power of the Individual

Through the barber, the film highlights how ordinary individuals can challenge tyranny and make a difference. His transformation from a humble, unassuming character to a voice for justice underscores the potential of individual courage and integrity in the fight against oppression.

Symbol

1. The Globe Balloon

The iconic scene where Adenoid Hynkel plays with a globe-shaped balloon symbolizes his megalomaniacal ambition to control the world. His childlike and whimsical treatment of the globe reflects both his inflated sense of power and the fragility of his vision for domination, as the balloon eventually bursts.

2. The Ghetto

The ghetto serves as a symbol of oppression and systemic persecution faced by marginalized groups under authoritarian regimes. It represents the suffering and resilience of the Jewish community during the rise of fascism, highlighting the human cost of dictatorship.

3.The Final Speech

While not a physical object, the barber’s climactic speech is symbolic of hope, democracy, and the triumph of humanity over tyranny. It stands as a direct counterpoint to the rhetoric of dictators, representing the enduring power of compassion and justice.

Conclusion

Through meticulous framing and thematic depth, The Great Dictator and Modern Times remain cinematic landmarks that transcend their time. The Great Dictator delivers a powerful critique of fascism and a heartfelt plea for peace and humanity, while Modern Times humorously yet poignantly exposes the alienation caused by industrial progress. Together, these films underscore Chaplin’s legacy as an artist who combined comedy and social commentary to inspire reflection and change.