In Charlie Chaplin’s movie “Modern Times,” you see how the individuality of the main character The Tramp is at times of benefit to him and also causes him and others great trouble. The movie was set in the 1930s and Charlie Chaplin is trying to show a reflection of individuality in this time period.

The Tramp’s personality gets him into trouble while working on the assembly line, he keeps falling behind because he stops to scratch his head or take a extra breath. Even when The Tramp is out of the factory, he can’t stop the repetitive tightening motion. You even see him try to tighten a fire hydrant and a lady’s bottom.

Sometimes The Tramp's originality is of great benefit to him and others. On instance of his individual behavior is shown when he is walking out of line both literally and figuratively, and is able to foil an attempted jail break because of being out of line. He won favor from the warden after that. Another example of his originality was how he got a job as a singing waiter by singing made up and nonsense songs that no one could understand but everyone found humorous. He did this because he couldn’t remember any words to the songs.

Through these examples in the movie, Charlie Chaplin shows how a person’s individuality is affected by the times and society’s pressures. Charlie Chaplin introduced the theme of individuality in a funny, insightful, and interesting away through out the movie.

- Laura

How is the life of workers in the movie similar to the life of workers today?

Life was very difficult for hard workers. They run like animals and go to work like sheep. Every morning at 6 o’clock they punch card. Lunch time was a short break, then they worked again. After, some of them lose their job. This movie gives a message for people. Rich people always have a good life.

In the movie, I liked the girl who took care of her family. Her father was laid off. Her dream was a good house, more food on the table. She was fighting for bread. She slept very good in a furniture store. Charlie Chaplin took care of her.

Today, workers have a better life. The movie I watched a long time ago. I like that kind of movie. Because most parts in the movie made me laugh.
I have a good life. I am going to work. I use a car. I have hot water at home that runs always. I have a meal, thank God.

- Nermin
 
 
 
As part of our partnership, both classes watched the Charlie Chaplin film, "Modern Times" and wrote about it. Here are some of the pieces we wrote.
Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times"
  
 
 

 

 

When I was young, I liked to see Chinese movies drama, action and American movies too. Although I couldn’t understand English much. I like to see the famous movie stars. I saw many famous movies such as “Gone With the Wind” and “The Sound of Music.”I liked the cowboy movie star John Wayne.

When I was about sixteen years old, I watched Charlie Chaplin’s movies in Hong Kong. My sister, brother and I went to see Charlie Chaplin’s film for the first time. I enjoyed the movie very much. After that I went to see his movie by myself. I recognized his face on the advertisement board so I knew his movie would be good and humorous.

In the movie, Modern Times, “The Tramp” Charlie Chaplin was a funny and humorous person. His body was always in action. Any movement made people laugh. He acted in many silent comedies in the world.

“Modern Times” was both funny and sad. Audiences agree that Chaplin’s acting was natural and realistic about daily life. “The Tramp” lived a poor and unhappy life in the movie, but he had to be a very strong person to fix his life. I like that his movies have a good moral and he always have a good ending.

- Elsie