Sociology

In a significant scene in Charlie Chaplins Modern Times, the Tramp as a harassed assembly line worker gets literally swallowed up by the machine he is desperately trying to keep time with. Machine is depicted as both a positive and negative force that can power great civilizations into full flowering and at the same time rob man of his soul, his personality and his individuality.
Modern Times came out in 1936 during the time of the Great Depression.  The hardships and poverty it depicts still resonate today especially during these difficult times of economic uncertainty, the loss of many jobs, and technology as an all-powerful industrial weapon.  Mans obsession with machinerywork is depicted in the Lunch Eliminator scene where the Tramp is strapped to a gadget which tries to force-feed him corn and soup. Of course, the machine breaks down, with the manager forced to acknowledge that the idea is no good since it is not practical.  In another scene, the Tramp takes a break inside a bathroom but is ordered back to work when his boss catches him smoking a cigar on a huge LED screen.
 
Modern Times abounds with social and political commentaries.  The Tramp suffers a nervous breakdown in his job.  Upon his release, he is thrown into jail for allegedly inciting a riot. Like the machines that power industry, Authority is depicted as cold and relentless. Despite its bureaucratic facade, however, Authority has the capability to act humane as evidenced when the Tramp tries to get back into jail after his release because at least in jail he gets to eat and is treated fairly well, especially after he saved the police from a gang of drug dealers.  The Tramp tries to resume his old life but is not given a chance because the factory where he used to work has already closed.

The social conflict in Modern Times centers on the Gamin and her status in society.  She is a young woman from a poor family. When her father dies during a riot at the docks, she runs away while social workers take over her sisters lives.  The Gamin dreams of a simple life a house and a husband who goes to work while she stays home and cooks dinner.  She is somewhat stereotypical in her portrayal, depending on a manhusband to take care of her needs.  When she meets the Tramp, she tries to breathe life to her simple dreams by finding a shanty for them to live, and by cooking him breakfast.  But the reality of their poverty intrudes he goes off to work and is again laid off because of an impending strike.

Amidst this harrowing background, however, hope and the glimmers of individuality persist.  The gamin becomes a singer in a diner and achieves success.  The Tramp, who finds work in the same diner, turns out to be a clumsy waiter but a great mimic and improviser during his act. When the arm of the law again tries to imprison them back, they escaped having found something that could help tide them over in their solitary journey.  It is the budding of individual talent and perseverance that will save them.  The movie actually tells the triumph of individualityspirit over poverty, social discrimination and the soul-stealing coldness of industry. The Tramp and the Gamin triumph over a society that seeks to marginalized them because they are poor and cannot afford to dream big dreams. As the subtitle of the movie says, Modern Times is a story of Industry but it is also the success of individual enterprise and humanity crusading in the pursuit of happiness.