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Introduction to the Modern Times :
"Modern Times" is a 1936 film directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. It's a silent comedy that critiques industrialization and its impact on society. Chaplin's character, the Tramp, struggles with the dehumanizing effects of mechanization. The film is a blend of humor and social commentary on the challenges of the modern era.
The term "silent film" is something of a misnomer, as these films were almost always accompanied by live sounds.
Most of the film was shot at "silent speed", 18 frames per second, which when projected at "sound speed", 24 frames per second, made the slapstick action appear even more frenetic.
The Tramp was usually the victim of circumstances and coincidences, but sometimes the results work in his favour. In Modern Times, he picks up a red flag that falls off a truck and starts to wave it at the truck in an attempt to return it, and by doing so, unknowingly and inadvertently becomes the leader of a group of protesting workers, and ends up in jail because of it.
Brief Overview of 20ty century :
The 20th century, between Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, saw seismic changes. World Wars I and II shifted perceptions on national fervor. Scientific progress brought inventions like the internal combustion engine, airplanes, and nuclear power, yet also the specter of universal destruction. Societal values shifted from Victorian ideals to skepticism, spawning existentialism. Groups like Bloomsbury and Fabian Society challenged traditions. Mass production worried sociologists, contrasting craftsmanship. Democracy rose, but dictatorial intellectualism remained.
What is Frame Study ?
Frame analysis studies how people interpret information by examining the constructed understanding of events or issues. It explores the framing of ideas in communication, shaping individuals' perceptions of reality through language, symbols, and context, influencing attitudes and actions.
1. Human Mechanization in the Grip of Industrialism
In the movie's opening frame, Chaplin ingeniously portrays the control of people akin to the earlier days when kings ruled or landlords governed peasants. Using a watch as a central motif, this frame encapsulates the movie's storyline, themes, and character essence. It symbolizes how individuals are confined by time, depicting the repetitive nature of industrial life and highlighting their metaphorical enslavement to the clock—a potent image echoing the mechanical, industrialized essence of the 20th century.
The frame, showcasing ships on one side and humans on the other, emphasizes a parallel between the two. The repetitive movement of the ships and the downcast expressions of the people signify a shared monotony. Just as the ships move mechanically, the humans seem to follow a routine with a sense of inertia, reflecting a monotonous existence. This visual comparison illustrates how industrialization and routine have mechanized human life, equating the rhythm of mechanical objects with the repetitive, lackluster routine experienced by individuals in the industrial world.
CCTV makes it easy to watch everything from one place, ensuring tasks are done right and instructions are given quickly. But this constant watch also controls how people behave. It helps in many ways, like catching criminals, yet it invades our privacy by watching us everywhere. Chaplin comically highlights this balance of benefits and intrusions in the film's scene. The concept of the Three M's—Muscles, Money, and Mind—underscores the significance of the mind.
This frame portrays an assembly line where workers perform repetitive tasks, stuck in a monotonous routine. The workers are so engrossed in their work that they can't even stop to remove a bee from their colleague's face. It shows how the workers are bound by their work, unable to break away from the tedious cycle. The scene emphasizes the dehumanizing nature of such work, where individuals are trapped in a mechanical rhythm, losing touch with their surroundings and even their own instincts or reactions.
Unemployment :
This scene depicts workers protesting, and Charlie inadvertently becomes part of the group. Job security, crucial for meeting basic human needs, was a major concern in the 20th century. Workers often faced inadequate wages or were laid off due to factory closures, leading to their protests.
In this scene, muscular prisoners are shown doing knitting, typically considered women's work. It reflects the shift in the modern age, where traditional Victorian ideas were deemed outdated and hypocritical. The new generation embraced contrasting values. Additionally, the portrayal of prisoners engaging in traditionally feminine tasks like knitting, milling, and cleaning aimed to diminish their masculine image. It's noteworthy that historical figures like Aurangzeb also engaged in knitting caps for a living, challenging societal perceptions of gendered work.
This scene captures the Tramp's accidental consumption of "nose powder," leading to his delay in returning to his cell. When he does return, he valiantly thwarts jailbreak attempts, rescuing the warden in the process. The warden, grateful, offers the Tramp his freedom, yet he refuses, preferring the confines of jail over the uncertainties of the outside world.
This frame highlights the paradoxical view of prison life. Despite the constraints and limitations, the Tramp finds a sense of security and purpose within the structured environment of the prison. It reflects Chaplin's commentary on the harsh realities of the outside world, portraying a poignant perspective where the familiarity and orderliness of jail seem preferable to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of society beyond its walls.
Ref. to Prison in The Modern Times.
The founders of a new colony, whatever #Utopia of human #virtue and #happiness they might originally project, have invariably recognised it among their earliest practical necessities to
allot a portion of the virgin soil as a #cemetery, and another portion as the site of a #prison - the 'black flower' of civilized society.
(Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter)
This scene depicts a worker being shot by the police during a protest. It's not just about one person dying; it symbolizes the loss of craftsmanship and jobs.
In this scene, the policeman hands him a recommendation letter, a symbol of hope for a job. Today, a simple recommendation letter can still be crucial for job opportunities. In the modern context, even with various degrees, unemployment remains a challenge for many, highlighting the struggle to secure jobs despite higher qualifications.
This scene illustrates the fading hope of employment due to one small mistake, leading to unemployment. The departure of the ship signifies the last chance of employment slipping away, leaving him as a mere spectator to his vanishing opportunities.
In this scene, the worker gazes hungrily at the sweets in the shop. Due to job losses in the capitalist system, many people struggle financially and resort to stealing food to survive. The central character, without a home, finds refuge in prison. When a girl is caught stealing bread, he confesses that he, not she, took the bread. This showcases his hardship and his willingness to take responsibility for her actions.
This scene focuses on their dream, with "FOOD" at the center. The film subtly supports the American middle-class and its hopeful outlook. For instance, there's a dream sequence where the Tramp and the gamine imagine a typical middle-class life. They find a rundown home, the gamine cooks a simple breakfast, and the Tramp goes to work while she tends to the house, hinting at a middle-class lifestyle.
This frame depicts the Mall Culture, a place where people find happiness and freedom to do what they want. It's a space where dreams and desires come true, reflecting the context of the modern age where people can fulfill their wishes and desires.
This Frame shows how Gemin longs for woolen bad. This scene portrays the struggle of lower-class individuals, highlighting their profound hardships. It emphasizes the stark contrast between the affluent and the working class. While some suffer from food shortages, others, in contrast, are comfortably nestled in warm bedding.
This scene displays a broken wooden house, built out of necessity for a place to live. When the girl and the worker meet, she arranges this home for them because they both dreamt of having their own place. Even though the house is made of fragile materials that break often, they find happiness in it. It shows how people's circumstances can make them content with whatever they have, finding joy even in a modest and fragile home. The house he created that was falling apart, portrays the pervasive theme of poverty.
In this scene, there's a commotion outside the factory as news spreads about its reopening. After years of the Great Depression, factories started operating again. However, more machines were used, displacing many workers. This led to widespread unemployment, where only those skilled in operating machines could secure jobs.
In this scene, a man is depicted amid huge machines. The rise of assembly lines and mass production ensnared people within machines. The advent of steam engines and electricity led to the establishment of large factories. In city life, many migrants depended on these factories for their livelihood. However, working long hours and facing food shortages were significant concerns in this setting.
This scene portrays a waiter amidst a crowd, particularly among high-class people. Symbolically, it represents the waiter's struggle among the wealthy, highlighting how in the midst of their luxurious lifestyles and wealth, someone like the waiter faces difficulties and isn't able to reach their level.
In this scene, Chaplin is seen dancing among the people while singing the nonsensical song "Je cherche après Titine." The song's lyrics, though lacking in literal meaning, were improvised by Chaplin to fit the melody and create a comedic effect. Through this performance, Chaplin utilizes the song as a form of nonverbal communication, conveying emotion and humor without relying on specific linguistic content. The dance and the nonsensical lyrics serve to entertain and engage the audience, showcasing Chaplin's ability to use music and physicality as part of the storytelling within the frame of the film.
The movie concludes with an open road, symbolizing the enduring need for hope despite life's challenges. It's a timeless and significant frame that encourages optimism after facing adversity, a message relevant then, now, and always. Amidst life's hurdles, this expansive road represents Charlie Chaplin's belief in persevering and finding hope, a sentiment mirrored in his own life and ideals.
Song of The Movie :
This is the part where Charlie sings and talks.
"Je cherche après Titine" (lyrics) English
English Verse: I've always been a restless rover, in search of femininity.
I've met the pretty girls all over, but only one appealed to me.
My loving heart I gayly tossed her, this Spanish kid in old Madrid,
She captured me and then I lost her, and ever since I'm off my lid.
I never will forget her face,
I'm searching for her ev'ry place.
Chorus: I'm looking for Titina, Titina, my Titina,
Studying these frames from 'Modern Times' reveals significant events and concepts from the 20th century. Through literary art, we grasp how these frames capture the essence of that era. Charlie Chaplin stands out as a master artist who skillfully portrays the harsh realities of his time. His satire cleverly critiques the socio-economic and political conditions of his era in a humorous yet impactful manner.
I sought assistance from ChatGPT to enhance my comprehension of the frames depicted.
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