This document provides a summary and analysis of the Charlie Chaplin film "The Modern Times" from a modernist perspective. It analyzes various scenes and symbols in the film, such as Chaplin's character continually working to tighten bolts representing how labor has to constantly work without end. Another symbol examined is the absence of a clock representing freedom without machines. The document asks questions about who controls the machines and priorities - the industrialists or humans, and whether the working class can escape not just the machines but the control of the upper class. It explores themes of modernism versus post-modernism and how the workers are trapped yet still find a way to smile without hope.

1. MAHARAJA KRISHNAKUMARSINHJI BHAVNAGAR
UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Presented by: Ruchi Joshi
ruchivjoshi101@gmail.com
Film : The Modern Times
Subject: Reading the frames
with modernist perspective

2. Illusionary face

3. Certainly this frame shows flee is more free than working
class people but does it symbolizing this or even deeper?
Who can slap?
Who can hit?
Who can kill?
Does Chaplin answer the
question or ask with the
help of irony?
?
Video clip

4. Wheel itself is symbol of motion but where is the motion of
workers?
Clock as ruling power
(one or another way there is presence of clock)

5. Priority goes in favor of machine
or human?
Who sets priority?
Who can start again?
Industrialists Keeps on
introducing machines which
the can not control and lower
class have to be suffer
Video clip
How workers look at machines and
how industrialists look at machines?

6. If working class come out from machine, can they come out of
upper class?
Big wheel is a symbol of industrialists and Chaplin as a representative of labor class as they must be ready for them.
Chaplin’s continuous repetition of doing the work and setting the bolts everywhere symbolizes that labor has to do lot
many thing which will not come to and end even if labor class do it day and night.
Video clip

7. Fear of coming with questions
Video clip

8. Absence of clock is also a symbol of freedom
(No machines)
Connection with the
beginning scene

10. Herd management?
Hard management for labor clsss?

11. Strikes and Riots remain behind the prison

12. Trap of machines or wheels
Video clip

13. Symbolizes modernism or
post-modernism?
 No smile yet they are
smiling
 Going without hope
 Indirectly going
towards stones itself
 Their changed clothes
at the very end
 Transformation of
everything

14. Washroom Card
CCTV
cards under clock
Video clip

15. Will You help me to find out what does this
frame wants to signify?
Video clip