In the 1936 film, Modern Times , Charlie Chaplain makes a satirical critique of mass production and the mechanization in the twentieth-century. He plays the role of a factory worker who is struggling to survive in world that is heavily industrialized. In that world, Chaplain seems preoccupied by the economic developments in the twentieth century that are causing problems to many workers at the time. After the Great Depression, Chaplain is wary of the effects of the economic downturns that are characterized by rise of nationalism, unemployment, and increased automation in the industrial world ( Dominio Publico, 2017) . Having read the economic theory, he is well-equipped to make a satirical reference to the existing economic conditions at the time when the world was convinced that is was industrialized (Vance, 2003). For this reason, Chaplain devises his own theory named the Economic Solution that is aimed at making a dig at the proposed economic solutions at the time.
In his own Economic Solution theory, Chaplain uses utopian idealism that is accompanied by utmost intelligence to make a satirical reference to the twentieth-century mass production and mechanization. For instance, he explains the existence of more equitable distribution of work rather than an equitable distribution of wealth. What is more, he mocks the mechanization of industries by stating that machines cause more tragedy and unemployment instead of improving human wellbeing. For example, Chaplain is struggling to operate the gigantic gears in a machine that should improve his wellbeing. Then again, the same machines are taking jobs that were previously done by human beings. Considering that there is also increased automation through the use of the machines, people should become wealthier following a rise in industrialization and mechanization in the century (Vance, 2003). From that perspective, Chaplain uses irony to portray the satirical side of the situation that is vastly expressed throughout the film.
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References
Dominio Publico. (2017, January 14). Charlie Chaplin | Tempos Modernos (Modern Times) - 1936 - Legendado [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPilyrEzC4&feature=youtu.be
Vance, J. (2003). Modern Times. Retrieved 26 March 2020, from https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/modern_times.pdf
