Understanding the Zeitgeist of the 20th century: From Modern Times to the Era of Dictatorship

Understanding the Zeitgeist of the 20th Century: From Modern Times to the Era of Dictatorship

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. Here is the link to the professor's blog for background reading: Click here.



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Source: DALL·E 3 - Representational

Section Content Summary Key Examples/Connections
Introduction Introduces the socio-political climate of the 20th century, marked by wars, depression, and totalitarianism. References events like World Wars, the Great Depression, and rise of dictatorships shaping the arts and society.
Chaplin's Cinematic Critique Explores 'Modern Times' and 'The Great Dictator' as critiques of industrialization and totalitarian regimes. Modern Times:
Assembly line scenes.
The Great Dictator:
Hynkel’s globe scene and propaganda speeches.
Modern Times: Industrialization Highlights dehumanization caused by mechanization and capitalism’s failure to ensure basic needs. The Tramp being engulfed by machinery; struggles of the working class during the Great Depression.
The Great Dictator: Totalitarianism Satirizes the absurdity of dictatorships and critiques propaganda manipulation and cult of personality. Hynkel’s theatrical speeches; balloon globe scene symbolizing fragile dictatorial ambitions.
Literary and Philosophical Resonances Connects Chaplin’s films with modernist and existentialist themes critiquing authority and alienation. Modern Times:
Alienation parallels Eliot’s 'The Waste Land.'
The Great Dictator:
Barber’s speech reflects existentialism.
Victorian Values Critiqued Examines how Chaplin subverts blind faith in progress and authority characteristic of Victorianism. Ward’s critique of Victorianism’s affirmation mindset resonates with Chaplin’s dismantling of oppressive institutions.
Socioeconomic and Political Backdrop Addresses issues like class struggle, capitalism, and totalitarian oppression. Modern Times:
Gamin’s poverty.
The Great Dictator: Persecution of Jews and manipulation of youth.
Cultural and Artistic Impacts Highlights Chaplin’s modernist approach to cinema and influence on literature and arts. Influence seen in Orwell’s '1984' and Steinbeck’s 'The Grapes of Wrath;' resistance to conformity through silent cinema.
Conclusion Summarizes Chaplin’s films as mirrors of 20th-century socio-political challenges, advocating for humanity. Ward’s observation of "progress with moral relapse" encapsulates the films’ themes of justice and dignity.

1. Introduction: The Zeitgeist of the 20th Century

The 20th century witnessed unparalleled upheaval, marked by the rapid evolution of scientific, political, and cultural paradigms. The era bore witness to monumental events such as the two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the rise of totalitarian regimes. These phenomena shaped humanity's collective consciousness and profoundly influenced the arts and literature. As A. C. Ward notes, the first half of the century experienced—

"progress and regress,"

(A. C. Ward)

—a paradoxical coexistence of scientific advancement and moral decline. Charlie Chaplin’s 'Modern Times' (1936) and 'The Great Dictator' (1940) encapsulate this turbulent zeitgeist, serving as cinematic critiques of the industrial, political, and social landscapes of the era.

2. Chaplin's Cinematic Critique

2.1. 'Modern Times': Industrialization and Its Human Cost

Chaplin’s 'Modern Times' explores the dehumanizing effects of industrialization, portraying the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression. The Tramp, Chaplin’s iconic character, becomes a cog in the machine, both figuratively and literally. The assembly line scene, where he is engulfed by machinery, illustrates the alienation caused by mechanization. The film highlights how technological progress often comes at the expense of human dignity, echoing A. C. Ward’s observation of mass production's threat to craftsmanship—

"Individual skill and craftsman's pride had almost vanished."

(A. C. Ward)

The film also critiques capitalism's inability to provide basic necessities for the masses. The Tramp’s adventures, including his false imprisonment and fleeting attempts at stability with the Gamin, underscore a society where survival is a constant struggle. This theme aligns with Ward’s assertion that technological progress, while revolutionary, has exacerbated social inequalities and discontent.

2.2. 'The Great Dictator': Satirizing Totalitarianism

In 'The Great Dictator,' Chaplin pivots to a satirical critique of totalitarian regimes. Playing dual roles as Adenoid Hynkel, the dictator, and the Jewish barber, Chaplin contrasts tyranny with humanity. The film’s famous globe scene, where Hynkel whimsically plays with an inflatable globe, encapsulates the hubris and folly of authoritarian leaders. This scene critiques the absurdity of totalitarian ambitions, presenting the world as a fragile entity easily destroyed by unchecked power.

Chaplin’s portrayal of propaganda and manipulation, exemplified in Hynkel’s bombastic speeches, reflects the rise of dictators like Hitler and Mussolini. The film critiques how rhetoric and spectacle were employed to subjugate and manipulate the masses, mirroring the dictatorial intellectualism described by Ward, where unquestioned authority stifled critical thought and individuality.

3. Literary and Philosophical Resonances

3.1. The Influence of Modernist Themes

Chaplin’s films resonate with modernist themes, particularly those critiquing industrialization and existential despair. The alienation of the Tramp in 'Modern Times' parallels the disconnection depicted in T. S. Eliot’s 'The Waste Land' (1922). Both works reflect a fragmented society struggling to reconcile progress with human values.

Similarly, 'The Great Dictator' engages with the existentialist questioning of authority and morality, as seen in the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and Franz Kafka. The Jewish barber’s climactic speech embodies existentialist ideals, urging individuals to reclaim their agency and resist oppressive systems.

3.2. Reflections on Victorian Values

The films also critique the remnants of Victorian ideals, such as blind faith in progress and authority. Ward describes Victorianism as characterized by an—

"innate desire to affirm and confirm rather than to reject or to question."

(A. C. Ward)

Chaplin’s films subvert this paradigm, exposing the hypocrisies and failures of institutions that perpetuate inequality and oppression.

4. The Sociopolitical Backdrop

4.1. Capitalism and Class Struggle

Both films address the socio-economic divide exacerbated by industrialization and totalitarianism. The Gamin’s struggle for food and shelter in 'Modern Times' reflects the plight of the working class, a theme echoed in Ward’s critique of the inequities of capitalism. Similarly, the persecution of the Jewish community in 'The Great Dictator' highlights the scapegoating and systemic oppression that characterized the era.

4.2. Totalitarianism and Its Consequences

Chaplin’s satirical depiction of dictatorship in 'The Great Dictator' underscores the dangers of unchecked power. The film critiques the cult of personality and the suppression of dissent, themes that resonate with Ward’s analysis of the totalitarian manipulation of youth and mass opinion.

5. Cultural and Artistic Impacts

5.1. Chaplin and Modernist Cinema

Chaplin’s films reflect modernist experimentation, blending comedy with social critique. His use of silent film techniques in 'Modern Times' despite the advent of sound cinema underscores a resistance to conformity, akin to modernist writers who challenged traditional narrative forms.

5.2. Influence on Literature and the Arts

Chaplin’s work influenced contemporary artists and writers, reinforcing the role of art as a tool for social commentary. The films’ themes of alienation, resistance, and human resilience parallel the concerns of 20th-century literature, from Orwell’s '1984' to Steinbeck’s 'The Grapes of Wrath.'

6. Conclusion: A Mirror to the Zeitgeist

Chaplin’s 'Modern Times' and 'The Great Dictator' are cinematic masterpieces that encapsulate the socio-economic-political zeitgeist of the 20th century. By critiquing industrialization, totalitarianism, and societal inequalities, Chaplin’s films serve as poignant reminders of the human cost of progress. As Ward aptly notes, the 20th century was a period of—

"ever-accelerating progress accompanied by an unprecedented moral and spiritual relapse."

(A. C. Ward)

Through their universal themes and enduring relevance, Chaplin’s films continue to inspire reflection on the complexities of human progress and the enduring struggle for justice and dignity.

References

1. A. C. Ward. Twentieth Century Literature. ‎Shubhi Publications, 2015.

2. Barad, Dilip. “Activity: Frame Study of ‘Modern Times’ and ‘The Great Dictator.’” Dilip Barad | Teacher Blog, 1 Sept. 2020, blog.dilipbarad.com/2020/09/charlie-chaplin-modern-times-great.html. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

3. ---. “Activity: Frame Study of Modern Times and The Great Dictator.” ResearchGate, Dec. 2024, https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12198.84805.

4. Chiu, H. and Chu, W. “Analysis of the Narrative Types of ‘Metaphor’ in Animated Short Films.” Art And Design Review, vol. 7, no. 4, Nov. 2019, pp. 206–24. Scientific Research, https://doi.org/10.4236/adr.2019.74017.

5. Eco, Umberto. “A Theory of Semiotics.” Indiana University Press, 1976. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt16xwcfd.

6. The Great Dictator. Directed by Chaplin Charles, Charles Chaplin Film Corporation, 1940.

7. Modern Times. Directed by Chaplin Charles, Charles Chaplin Productions, 1936.

Thank you!