Charlie Chaplin’s character resisted changes that were happening in the modern world. Discuss how his hobo character resisted this change in ‘City Lights’ and embraced romanticism and a free spirited way of life?
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Charlie Chaplin’s hobo character in “City Lights” was very interesting to watch. Charlie’s hobo character seems to just haphazardly float through life and always seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, yet also very lucky for him, in the right place at the right time when it is critical. However, when he meets the blind lady, he embraces romanticism because she cant not see that he is a hobo, and by being in the right place at the right time, is able to portray a millionaire just long enough for her to get to know him for his true self. Chaplin’s hobo character seemed to drift through life in a free spirited way, characterized by the opening scene of him sleeping on the statue, but when he finds something beautiful and meaningful in his life, his priorities seem to change. For the first time in a long time, he is not being ridiculed or mocked, and devotes his whole effort into being with the woman. However, the ending of the film really grabbed my attention and wrapped the movie up nicely, because at first, the woman see’s him for the first time and writes him off with laughter as everyone else. However, when she realizes that it is him, she states that only know can she see. This was a great way to truly express the exact emotion of romanticism that the producer wanted to acquire, and convey to the audience that you can be attracted to the wealth and material possessions, however, true love can only be found when you truly love a person for themselves.
