Analysis of Charlie Chaplin’s Representation of Hitler in The Great Dictator

We know this “Great Dictator” from his silent movies; the tight coat, the baggy pants, his signature cane as well as that notorious hat. The man of silly and quirky jokes that made the world a better place, rather through hard circumstances like the great depression or any other major tragedies that followed. Giving out laughter to the world, he was an inspiring and motivating person who spoke on the people. However, few of this generation know who and that of Sir Charles Spencer 'Charlie' Chaplin. Chaplin had a hard dealing with nonexistent father who he believed wasn't his father and lying claiming the place of his birth “For much of his life he claimed that he had been born in a hotel in Fontainebleau, France and that his older half-brother, Sydney, had been born in South Africa. He often told friends that he was far from sure that his mother’s husband, Charles Chaplin Sr., was his biological father. At times he thought his real father might have been Jewish or even African American. Chaplin’s delivery of the speech may have been a mockery of the infamous Hitler, Chaplin copies every movement to which Hitler giving his audience some type of laughter because he is still considered a comedian and every comedian should make their audience laugh and that was one way funny to say not only because like I said Chaplin is a comedian but yet he also feels Hitler is a joke as well, making for a swift connection to the audience for who feels the same way.

Hitler had a distinctive way to show his presence within his speeches; he starts off very subtle and no drama, and as the speech continued and went on the speech as well as Hitler became heartfelt and emotional Although knowing the speeches Hitler spoke was often talked about and judged, Hitler’s speaking skills were out of this world and rememberable. Chaplin mimics this skill perfectly every action, tone and made it just as perfectly as Hitler did during these speeches may be a little better from the boring beginning to the sincere ending. Chaplin, acting as if he is a dictator himself also keep in mind his making mockery of Hitler from the looks to the speaking volume, begins his speech very unamused and un-entertained to the ear speaking very slowly and mouse like to the audience. However, as the speech progresses over time and you really start to get the feel of what Chaplin is trying to say, he becomes more and more emotionally and involved about what he is saying and how he is saying it. His voice begins riser after each and every word, he begins describing in an abnormal fashion, and everything he is saying becomes more relatable because of his delivery and how he delivered it he made it more fascinating and relatable for us to all agree on. Before the audience thinks about the words that have been said and spoken, they are intrigued by the way Chaplin made it seem like he cared so much about the topic he discussed as if he was the one getting hurt and affected as if he was in the audience saying things the audience felt. The audience instantly clicks with him because they find him more relatable than anything, of course, they will now listen and feel what he is saying. They are captured by his delivery and thus are excited about the subject, more inclined to truly listen and understand the point of view in which Chaplin is coming from.

Chaplin has been silent in all his movies and he is known as a silent actor so knowing when he spoke, of course, it came to some value because he isn't really the talkative type so when everyone heard him speak, the audience not only listened to what was said but also shocked but no one really heard him speak. Even with silence, you cannot say that Chaplin wasn't powerful with his words and when he did speak it came with an inspirational background. Chaplin creates a very provoking meaningful approach. He claims that “humanity has sacrificed the responsibility to provide a quality life to all people and replaced that responsibility with greed, hate, pessimism, and violence”. He uses harsh words that go straight to the point it cuts to the chase. One of the most outstanding statements he says “We think too much and feel too little: more than machinery, we need humanity; more than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost”. Humanity just like then and now will never be perfect but yet it will always be judged because humans will always be humans and do human-based activities whether it's good or bad. , but the opinion is validated guaranteed and declared.

Chaplin’s use of pathos to call his audience and make them understand the actions of where his words came from is amazing. He makes statements such as “We think too much and feel too little” to bring up how we felt about remorse and judgment regarding the current state (at that time) of the human population. When the audience is faced with this judgment and experiences these emotions which he tried so hard to make the audience feel. The audience is now looking for a way out that will allow for the despair which the environment and those living in such are facing to be easy to leave, they have much more of a better reason to listen loud and clearly to Chaplin’s declaration “Do not despair”. Chaplin claims that “the very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men, cries out for universal brotherhood for the unity of us all”. He provides clarity and hopes to a society where it's motivated by distrustful sincerity. “The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress: the hate of men will pass and dictators will die and the power they took from the people will return to the people and so long as men die now liberty will never perish” supplied the perfect use of pathos at that moment in time. Back in the time when the dictator also knew as Hitler was forcing his hate to all and everyone source of a region that was close or far, the future looked dark and voided. However, Chaplin provides the perfect way to channel to those listening to realize that they can become the rose the flower and the blossom of the beautiful and free life and live it happily and freely. This also channels hope for when he pronounces that “the people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness”. “You the people have the power to make life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy, let’s use that power, let us all unite”. Chaplin’s emotionally invested statements leaving a mark and vision and footnote in the minds of his audience with many feelings that one or two, beginning with punishment, leading with and to hope, and then finishing with support and motivation to create a better world, a better place, a safer environment where all people are given the right to liberty and happiness love and peace. What a weird and horrific time it was when the world seemed to be falling down, Charlie Chaplin provided a call to action to revive the state of humanity. By accessing a powerful delivery and a very stimulating emotional proposal, he effectively conjures up the deterioration of liberty and energizes his world audience to “fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers, do away with greed, with hate and intolerance”. He fully evokes his audience to stand against injustice and to unite together against the “unnatural men”, mainly the great dictator Hitler. He provides the world with a reason and avenue to a better life for all.

Chaplin is spoofing Hitler who has already taken over a country. On ethos, he starts the speech with 'I'm sorry but I don't want to be an Emperor, that's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone.' This builds on his character as although he is the rightful ruler, he does not want to conquer or overpower others' rights. Looking past the fact that this video is a speech persuading us to support democracy, it has other important insights we can learn and take away. He speaks in his speech about how 'we (humans) have lost the way'; because, 'Greed has poisoned (our) souls', leaving the world now with 'hate', 'misery' and 'bloodshed'. This is the line in his speech that struck me the most, simply because it spoke truly of the world we are currently living in. We are all so caught up in wanting to be the best, earning the most and simply becoming the first – that sometimes we forget ourselves and the people around us. We become monsters – putting self before others – and sometimes even doing things we would never imagine ourselves doing. Not because we are monsters by nature; but because of circumstances, we have become so competitive that it blinds us to other happenings that are around us.