Style and themes Charlie Chaplin

a collection of scenes kid (1921), demonstrating chaplin s mixture of slapstick, pathos, , social commentary

while chaplin s comedic style broadly defined slapstick, considered restrained , intelligent, film historian philip kemp describing work mix of deft, balletic physical comedy , thoughtful, situation-based gags . chaplin diverged conventional slapstick slowing pace , exhausting each scene of comic potential, more focus on developing viewer s relationship characters. unlike conventional slapstick comedies, robinson states comic moments in chaplin s films centre on tramp s attitude things happening him: humour not come tramp bumping tree, lifting hat tree in apology. dan kamin writes chaplin s quirky mannerisms , serious demeanour in midst of slapstick action other key aspects of comedy, while surreal transformation of objects , employment of in-camera trickery common features.

chaplin s silent films typically follow tramp s efforts survive in hostile world. character lives in poverty , treated badly, remains kind , upbeat; defying social position, strives seen gentleman. chaplin said in 1925, whole point of little fellow no matter how down on ass is, no matter how jackals succeed in tearing him apart, s still man of dignity. tramp defies authority figures , gives gets , leading robinson , louvish see him representative underprivileged – everyman turned heroic saviour . hansmeyer notes several of chaplin s films end homeless , lonely tramp [walking] optimistically ... sunset ... continue journey .

—chaplin explaining why comedies make fun of tragic circumstances

the infusion of pathos well-known aspect of chaplin s work, , larcher notes reputation [inducing] laughter , tears . sentimentality in films comes variety of sources, louvish pinpointing personal failure, society s strictures, economic disaster, , elements. chaplin drew on tragic events when creating films, in case of gold rush (1925), inspired fate of donner party. constance b. kuriyama has identified serious underlying themes in comedies, such greed (the gold rush) , loss (the kid). chaplin touched on controversial issues: immigration (the immigrant, 1917); illegitimacy (the kid, 1921); , drug use (easy street, 1917). explored these topics ironically, making comedy out of suffering.

social commentary feature of chaplin s films in career, portrayed underdog in sympathetic light , highlighted difficulties of poor. later, developed keen interest in economics , felt obliged publicise views, chaplin began incorporating overtly political messages films. modern times (1936) depicted factory workers in dismal conditions, great dictator (1940) parodied adolf hitler , benito mussolini , ended in speech against nationalism, monsieur verdoux (1947) criticised war , capitalism, , king in new york (1957) attacked mccarthyism.

several of chaplin s films incorporate autobiographical elements, , psychologist sigmund freud believed chaplin plays himself in dismal youth . kid thought reflect chaplin s childhood trauma of being sent orphanage, main characters in limelight (1952) contain elements lives of parents, , king in new york references chaplin s experiences of being shunned united states. many of sets, in street scenes, bear strong similarity kennington, grew up. stephen m. weissman has argued chaplin s problematic relationship mentally ill mother reflected in female characters , tramp s desire save them.

regarding structure of chaplin s films, scholar gerald mast sees them consisting of sketches tied same theme , setting, rather having tightly unified storyline. visually, films simple , economic, scenes portrayed if set on stage. approach filming described art director eugène lourié: chaplin did not think in artistic images when shooting. believed action main thing. camera there photograph actors . in autobiography, chaplin wrote, simplicity best ... pompous effects slow action, boring , unpleasant ... camera should not intrude. approach has prompted criticism, since 1940s, being old fashioned , while film scholar donald mccaffrey sees indication chaplin never understood film medium. kamin, however, comments chaplin s comedic talent not enough remain funny on screen if did not have ability conceive , direct scenes film medium .