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.