Charlie Chaplin’s work has grown from popular to iconic since the filmmaker’s emergence in the early 1900’s. Best known for his portrayal of a character known affectionately as “The Tramp”, his brand of micro-comedy captured hearts and allowed him to make a number of films starring that famous character. One such film was City Lights, a piece set in a large and thriving city that followed the exploits of “The Tramp” as he tries to help a young blind woman whom he meets on his exploits.
The film, liberally sprinkled with Left-wing Chaplin’s political views, uses the destitute character of “The Tramp” to explore the dynamics of a bustling metropolis. Chaplin’s depiction of the urban world his characters lived in was well expressed by the activities and characters of the city. Using the rich, their servants and the poor, he painted a dismal and distressing picture of capitalism and its moral ramifications, as other films in the silent era, such as Buster Keaton’s “Cops” and Wallace McCutcheon’s “How They Rob Men in Chicago” did. At the same time, Chaplin also used the urban world of the city to highlight the versatility and enduring kindness humanity is capable of, a feat which neither Buster Keaton or Wallace McCutcheon attempted in their respective films.
First, consider the narrative of “City Lights”. …show more content…
Time and again he saves the rich man’s life, pulling him out of rivers, taking guns away from him, and attempting to fight off burglars. Additionally, even without any money of his own, he sets out to help the blind flower-seller pay her rent and get the surgery she needs to regain her eyesight. Catching the rich gentleman in another drunken stupor, he asks for money and is given plenty. It seems as though karma is giving “The Tramp” a chance, but upon sobering, the rich man cannot recall his relationship with “The Tramp” whatsoever, even after all their escapades, and attempts to have Chaplin’s character
The film, liberally sprinkled with Left-wing Chaplin’s political views, uses the destitute character of “The Tramp” to explore the dynamics of a bustling metropolis. Chaplin’s depiction of the urban world his characters lived in was well expressed by the activities and characters of the city. Using the rich, their servants and the poor, he painted a dismal and distressing picture of capitalism and its moral ramifications, as other films in the silent era, such as Buster Keaton’s “Cops” and Wallace McCutcheon’s “How They Rob Men in Chicago” did. At the same time, Chaplin also used the urban world of the city to highlight the versatility and enduring kindness humanity is capable of, a feat which neither Buster Keaton or Wallace McCutcheon attempted in their respective films.
First, consider the narrative of “City Lights”. …show more content…
Time and again he saves the rich man’s life, pulling him out of rivers, taking guns away from him, and attempting to fight off burglars. Additionally, even without any money of his own, he sets out to help the blind flower-seller pay her rent and get the surgery she needs to regain her eyesight. Catching the rich gentleman in another drunken stupor, he asks for money and is given plenty. It seems as though karma is giving “The Tramp” a chance, but upon sobering, the rich man cannot recall his relationship with “The Tramp” whatsoever, even after all their escapades, and attempts to have Chaplin’s character