Writer’s Letter – Inquiry #2
I found this paper quite enjoyable to write. I managed to find a topic I was
interested in, but was still meaningful and had contemporary applications. I have
always enjoyed entertainers from the past, typically from the ‘40s- ‘60s, and Charlie
Chaplin is no exception. The statements that Chaplin makes throughout his speech
really have the capacity to make one seriously think about their place in society. He
discusses all the ways humanity has hurt themselves when they could be uniting
and helping one another. It’s a magnificent message, one that an innumerable
amount of people needs to hear today.
In writing this paper, I learned much more about logos, ethos, and pathos.
Before starting Inquiry #2, I had a hard time understanding the basic concept of
rhetoric and the components of it. As I examined this clip from The Great Dictator, it
gradually became easier and easier to find, understand, and apply the parts of
rhetoric. I also learned how rhetoric might possibly be affected by visual as well as
situational cues. Finally, as a result of my research, I learned a significant amount
about Charlie Chaplin’s background and acting career. All in all, I feel that this
assignment was beneficial to me and helped accelerate my writing ability as well as
my analytical powers in terms of rhetoric.
The Great Dictator – A Rhetorical Analysis
The Great Dictator is a satirical piece on Hitler and the Nazi party. Directed
by Charlie Chaplin and released in 1940, the film directly challenged the Nazi party
and their methods. The final scene is heralded as containing one of the most
inspirational speeches in film.1 Chaplin stares directly into the camera and proceeds
to give a touching monologue, one that, even 70 years later, is remembered and
respected. In this particular edit, Hans Zimmer’s “Time” is inserted as background
music, making the speech all the more riveting.
Chaplin’s appeal to the viewers’ emotions is extensive and prolific
throughout the speech. His relative inactivity regarding gestures and body
movement communicates the sobriety of his topic. He stares down the camera,
speaking with increasing intensity. As he nears the end, he is shaking with emotion
and looking around as he addresses each of his audience groups individually. He
makes it clear that he is putting his all into his statement. I find it hard to believe
that Chaplin was simply acting in this scene. The issues he addresses are close to his
heart, his heritage, and the problems of his time, so he has good reason to be
passionate. It is obvious that this message is meant to affect the emotions of all
those involved in World War II and to have them ask themselves what it is they fight
for and why they fight for it.
Not only does Chaplin’s body language influence the viewer’s sentiments, his
tone is also very somber. His voice is relatively even, with a minimum of stuttering.
1. “Youtube - The Great Dictator - Speech (Charlie Chaplin) & Inception Soundtrack - Time (Hans
Zimmer), last accessed October 4, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLci5DoZqHU
He speaks rhythmically and steadily. He has a pattern that is comfortable and easy
to listen to. His sentences are simple and easy to understand. All of these aspects
combine into a speech that affects his audience much more than it would if he used
ideas and words that were specialized to a particular group.
In this particular clip, a musical score was added to the background. This
score, though composed for a completely different film, seems to fit almost perfectly.
The smooth strings, subtle horns, and strong drums create a very inspirational
atmosphere, matching Chaplin’s topic and the strong emotion he coveys. As he
becomes more and more emotional, the music becomes much more dramatic. Even
though the music is not present in the original production, I feel that it only adds to
Chaplin’s statement.
Chaplin’s reputation was firmly established by the creation of The Great
Dictator, making his reliability. When the film was released in 1940, Charlie Chaplin
was a well-known actor.2 He had built his career upon many years of silent pictures
in which he performed slapstick comedy, the acting style for which he was known.
As a well-established celebrity, people knew him by sight, which added to his
credibility. Interestingly, Hitler was a Chaplin fan and watched his movies, even
when Chaplin was making fun of the Nazi party and challenging Hitler’s beliefs.3
Chaplin juxtaposes Hitler’s well-known style of dress with a statement on
2. “The Great Dictator – (1940),” accessed October 4, 2011, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032553/
3. “The Tramp and the Dictator,” last modified December 2009,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/tramp-and-the-dictator.shtml
how humanity should have the power of themselves rather than a dictator. He
speaks about humanity’s natural love for others and how much better the world
would be if people were able to work together to exercise that love. He even quotes
from the bible book of Luke. Chaplin expresses views and ideas that are the polar
opposite from what one would expect from an individual dressed like the most
infamous dictator in history, especially during the time period in which the film was
released. Even now, many people seem to have an instantly negative reaction upon
seeing someone dressed similarly to Hitler, even before they hear what it is the
person is saying. This is not surprising, but it shows that the effectiveness of
Chaplin’s juxtaposition between outfit and oration has lasted even down to our day.
Chaplin and Hitler had many things in common. They were both born within
a week of each other in 1889. They both had a tough upbringing. Most famously,
perhaps, was the similarity of their trademark toothbrush mustaches (which
Chaplin wore for the last time, ironically, in The Great Dictator.4) Where they
differed, as is made obvious by Chaplin’s monologue, was in their ideals. This is
another reason that Chaplin dressing like Hitler made an emphatic point.
Chaplin uses some logical reasoning in his speech, but not nearly to the
extent that he uses emotions. He does point out the inventions of the modern world
and how they could be for peaceful endeavors, but that are used primarily for war.
He talks about the prolific existence of greed and human corruption. He also speaks
about dictators and their unfulfilled promises. Using all of these points, he shows
4. “The Great Dictator: The Essentials,” accessed October 4, 2011, http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/157939%7C0/The-Great-Dictator-The-Essentials.html
the disadvantages of war and dictatorship and he calls for peace and brotherhood
among mankind. This particular statement is the spirit of the entire speech. He feels
that humanity is taking a wrong turn by warring and fighting each other. He believes
that we should use our ingenuity and creativity to unite for the sake of our survival
and advancement of our race.
Charlie Chaplin’s speech at the conclusion of The Great Dictator makes many
great points for its time. Its message flew in the face of the single most powerful
man on Earth and survived. This very fact is a testament to the strength of the
message and the extent to which the population supported it. By successfully using
all of the rhetorical components, Chaplin masterfully crafts an appeal to the general
populace that invigorates his audience to take action. Though an actor, he makes it
clear that his message was real, not directed at the virtual audience; but rather, it
was directed at anyone and everyone who was being oppressed at the time as well
as anyone still looking for a say in their government. Even today, there are aspects
of Chaplin’s speech that hold significance. It is the combination of all of these
components that make Charlie Chaplin’s speech a treasure for our past, present, and
future.
Works Cited
1. “Youtube - The Great Dictator - Speech (Charlie Chaplin) & Inception Soundtrack Time (Hans Zimmer),” last modified May 28, 2011,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLci5DoZqHU
2. “The Great Dictator – (1940),” accessed October 4, 2011,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032553/
3. “The Tramp and the Dictator,” last modified December 2009,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/tramp-and-thedictator.shtml
4. “The Great Dictator: The Essentials,” accessed October 4, 2011,
http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/157939%7C0/The-Great-Dictator-TheEssentials.html