“City Lights,” released in 1931, is one of Charlie Chaplin’s most beloved films. This silent romantic comedy tells the story of Chaplin’s iconic Tramp character, who falls in love with a blind flower girl and befriends a wealthy alcoholic. Despite the advent of “talkies,” Chaplin chose to create this silent film, highlighting his mastery of visual storytelling and emotional depth.
Here are ten literary devices used in “City Lights” with specific examples from the movie:
1. Irony
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp tries to save the millionaire from suicide, but the millionaire only remembers him when he’s drunk. Situational Irony : The millionaire’s behavior is the opposite of what one might expect from someone saved from death. The Tramp is mistaken for a rich man when he has no money at all. Dramatic Irony : The audience knows the Tramp is poor, but the characters around him do not.
2. Symbolism
Movie Scene Device Example The blind girl’s flowers. The flowers symbolize purity and beauty, reflecting the girl’s innocence and the Tramp’s love. The Tramp’s cane. The cane symbolizes his resilience and adaptability in the face of hardship.
3. Pathos
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp’s goodbye to the flower girl after paying for her surgery. Evokes deep empathy and sadness from the audience. The final scene where the girl recognizes the Tramp. Touches the audience’s emotions deeply, highlighting the theme of love and sacrifice.
4. Hyperbole
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp’s exaggerated actions during the boxing match. Creates humor through over-the-top physical comedy . The millionaire’s lavish lifestyle when drunk. Exaggerates wealth and excess to contrast with the Tramp’s poverty.
5. Satire
Movie Scene Device Example The millionaire’s fluctuating behavior towards the Tramp. Critiques the superficiality of the wealthy class. The social elite’s indifference at the restaurant. Satirizes the detachment of the rich from the struggles of the poor.
6. Motif
Movie Scene Device Example The recurring scenes of the Tramp’s encounters with the blind girl. Reinforces the central motif of love and kindness. The Tramp’s constant search for work. Highlights the motif of survival and resilience.
7. Juxtaposition
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp’s shabby appearance against the luxurious backdrop of the millionaire’s mansion. Highlights the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. The chaotic boxing ring scene followed by the serene interaction with the blind girl. Emphasizes the duality of chaos and calm in the Tramp’s life.
8. Allegory
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp’s struggles represent the plight of the poor during the Great Depression. Uses the character’s journey as an allegory for social commentary. The blind girl’s blindness and subsequent sight restoration. Symbolizes the hope and transformation possible through love and kindness.
9. Foreshadowing
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp finds a flower early in the film. Foreshadows the importance of flowers in his relationship with the blind girl. The millionaire’s initial rejection of the Tramp. Foreshadows the ongoing unpredictability of their relationship.
10. Metaphor
Movie Scene Device Example The Tramp as a representation of the common man. Metaphor for resilience and the human spirit.The flower girl’s blindness. Metaphor for innocence and the unseen beauty in the world.
Character Studies
The Tramp
Literary Device Explanation Pathos The Tramp’s kind and self-sacrificing nature evokes deep sympathy from the audience. Symbolism The Tramp’s cane and shabby clothes symbolize his resilience and enduring spirit.
The Blind Girl
Literary Device Explanation Symbolism The flowers she sells symbolize purity and beauty, reflecting her character. Metaphor Her blindness represents innocence and the ability to see beyond physical appearances.
The Millionaire
Literary Device Explanation Irony His behavior changes drastically depending on his sobriety, highlighting the fickleness of wealth. Satire His treatment of the Tramp when drunk vs. sober critiques the superficial nature of the wealthy class.
Character Dynamics
Literary Device Explanation Juxtaposition The contrasting lives of the Tramp and the millionaire highlight the disparities between social classes. Allegory The relationship between the Tramp and the blind girl symbolizes hope and transformation through love.
Social Inequality
Device Explanation Juxtaposition The stark contrast between the Tramp’s poverty and the millionaire’s wealth highlights social disparities. Satire The film critiques the indifference of the wealthy towards the struggles of the poor.
Love and Sacrifice
Device Explanation Pathos The Tramp’s selfless actions for the blind girl evoke deep emotional responses. Symbolism The flowers represent the purity and beauty of their love.
Resilience and Hope
Device Explanation Metaphor The Tramp’s journey symbolizes the resilience of the human spirit. Allegory The blind girl’s transformation from blindness to sight represents hope and change.
Visual and Sound Techniques
Literary Device Technique Explanation Pathos Close-ups and facial expressions Close-up shots of the Tramp’s face emphasize his emotions and create empathy. Symbolism Lighting and shadows The use of lighting to highlight the flowers enhances their symbolic meaning. Irony Silent film format The silent format itself is ironic in an era of talkies, emphasizing Chaplin’s mastery of visual storytelling.
Scene Selection
The Flower Girl’s Recognition
Watch Scene on YouTube Breakdown : This final scene is a powerful culmination of the film’s emotional and thematic elements. The Tramp, now destitute and ragged, encounters the flower girl, who can now see. Her recognition of him and the realization of his sacrifices create a poignant moment of pathos , symbolizing the enduring power of love and kindness.
The Boxing Match
Watch Scene on YouTube Breakdown : This comedic scene juxtaposes the Tramp’s desperate attempts to survive with the brutal world of boxing. The exaggerated physical comedy and choreography create humor through hyperbole while highlighting the Tramp’s resilience and ingenuity.
Interactive Quiz
Question 1 : Which literary device is primarily used to evoke sympathy for the Tramp?
Question 2 : What do the flowers symbolize in “City Lights”?
A) Wealth
B) Innocence and beauty
C) Strength
Question 3 : How does Chaplin use irony in the millionaire’s character?
A) By making him always kind and sober
B) By showing his fluctuating behavior based on his drunkenness
C) By never showing his face
Question 4 : Which literary device is highlighted in the final scene with the flower girl?
Question 5 : What theme is explored through the relationship between the Tramp and the blind girl?
A) Greed
B) Social Inequality
C) Love and Sacrifice
