Charlie Chaplin Twinery (updated)

Hello and welcome Charlie Chaplin! It is the year 1939 and you, a well known British comic actor, filmmaker, and composer, are beginning your journey through making a brand new film. Most of your past works, such as City Lights and Modern Times, include both a unique blend of comedy and social commentary. You sought to blend comedy with serious critique, using dual roles to highlight the absurdity and grim reality of tyranny. The 1940s was shaped by a politically charged global environment with the rise of totalitarian regimes, such as Adolf Hitler’s consolidated power in Germany, enforcing a fascist dictatorship, intensifying antisemitic policies. You decide that you want to show the world the dangers of fascism and to stir empathy for European Jews who were being persecuted at this time. You are going to embark on a story with a world defined by escalating fascism, the approaching Second World War, and the anxious communities of those who surround you. The name of this upcoming film, is The Great Dictator… You ultimately decide to [[make this film to expose the tyrannical situation of the world->Expose tyranny]], in attempt to raise awareness of the people to speak up. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) explains that Chaplin normally aimed his satire at aspects of the social and economic system which he felt are either inadequate or detrimental to human values. He often made his films to expose the wrongness of certain ideas in the world during this time. Harry A. Grace, 'Charlie Chaplin's Films and American Culture Patterns,' The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 10, no. 4 (1952): [Page 356], https://doi.org/10.2307/426065.")

Choosing to expose tyranny was a bold move, but you realize that someone had to speak up in a way which will reach thousands. Your goal is to satirize Adolf Hitler and to highlight the plight of the persecuted, using the film as a way for moral and social reflection. Your awareness of Nazi propaganda and antisemitism deeply influences your idea for both the themes and the tone of the film. You want to make it enjoyable and comedic to watch but still have a lasting effect on the audience. Although you want it to be funny, the topic is simply too bitter and taboo to permit much in the way of gentle comedy. You have committed to this choice, but now you have to decide how to portray Hitler’s character. You could make [[Hitler realistic and dangerous->Dangerous hitler]], trying to have him come off as the evil guy from the start. Or you could make [[Hitler goofy and satirical->Comedic Hitler]], making the audience laugh while slowly gaining their awareness of the situation. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) highlights Chaplin's idea that the film was too serious to rely soley on light comedy. It explains that the tone of the picture's satire was a shift from Chaplin's usual poetic approach; and adds that Chaplin deliberately chose a different route in order to achieve success. Barson M. Erickson, 'Charlie Chaplin,' Britannica, last modified July 28, 2025, accessed September 5, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charlie-Chaplin/Final-works-A-King-in-New-York-and-A-Countess-from-Hong-Kong.")

Hitler is too radical and tyrannical to be portrayed lightly; choosing to have him depicted as dangerous should be a good idea. You are trying to plan out the entirety of this film, trying to make it perfect. You realize that Hitler is not one to be acted as very funny or to be normalized. If you normalize Hitler’s actions, you could be framed as very controversial and contentious. Your goal is to spread awareness on the propaganda, not idealize it. For this film to work, you need (cycling-link:"antipodal","diametrically opposed") characters to emphasize the effects made on Hitler’s main enemies: the Jewish population. You decide on making the character a Jewish barber who will help make this anti-relationship come to life. The second most important character is a barber, depicting the Jewish population during these hardships. This is a character of humanity and resistance, which starkly contrasts with the oppressive and dehumanizing rule of the dictator. Will you [[portray the barber as a deep emotional lead->Deep barber lead]], hoping to emphasize the contrast and meaning of the film. Or [[portray him as a comedic sidekick->Comedic Barber]] to add some humor to the film. (cycling-link: "∞", "Although this was not Chaplin's decision (not historical), he could have decided to portray Hitler as dangerous as it would confront the full gravity of Nazi ideology and its consequences; however, it could get too political, and Chaplin could be framed as a controversial artist. Adrian Daub, 'HANNAH, CAN YOU HEAR ME?'? CHAPLIN'S 'GREAT DICTATOR', 'SCHTONK,' AND THE VICISSITUDES of VOICE,' Criticism 51, no. 3 (2009): [Page 456], http://www.jstor.org/stable/23131524. It is also shown in this short clip from the Great Dictator that Hitler is explicitly mentioning the horrible persecution and his goal to eliminate all Jewish race. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Complete Globe Scene - The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin Youtube, 5, accessed October 11, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jj-PaqFrBc.")

Due to your choice to use humor and absurdity to critique the dictator's regime, your portrayal of Adolf Hitler was more satirical than dangerous and serious. For this film to work, you need (cycling-link:"antipodal","diametrically opposed") characters to emphasize the effects made on Hitler’s main enemies: the Jewish population. However, your attempt to cool down on direct connections to Hitler affected this foil. You decide to use your own persona to serve as a satirical image of the dictator not only to highlight the absurdity of blind power and prejudice but also serve to reveal the cynical attitude of the totalitarian regime. Instead of depicting him and the Nazi regime through fear or brutality alone, you employ exaggerated, comical behaviors. This transforms tyranny into absurdity, undermining the dictator's intimidation tactics while retaining a serious critique of fascism. The second most important character is a barber, depicting the Jewish population during these hardships. This is a character of humanity and resistance, which starkly contrasts with the oppressive and dehumanizing rule of the dictator. You might choose to [[portray the barber as a deep emotional lead->Deep barber lead 2]] to emphasize the film's moral message and create a strong foil to the dictator, highlighting compassion versus cruelty. On the other hand, you might [[portray Barber as a comedic side character->Comedic barber 2]] to maintain a lighter tone, reduce controversy, and keep the film aligned with your traditional comedic style, making it more accessible to audiences during this tense political era. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) explains how Chaplin uses the character of Adenoid Hynkel to satirically critique fascism and the dictatorial regime. Chaplin does not portray Hitler as dangerous or cynical as it might come with backlash. Stephen Harvey, 'THE GREAT DICTATOR (1940),' Film Comment 8, no. 3 (1972): [Page 20-21], http://www.jstor.org/stable/43754729.")

Your original idea is to act as both the commanding dictator, and the humble Jewish barber. Choosing to make the film have two bold main characters who are opposites created a tone and a deeper meaning to the overall film. This formed an uncanny resemblance between this innocent Jewish barber, and Adolf Hitler, representing opposite poles of humanity. This dual role could ultimately help the meaning of the film get across easier to the audience. You decide, throughout the film, to have both characters get mistaken for one another, and ultimately meeting, but not face to face, rather voice to face, using their similarity as a weapon. You are at pains to make clear just how different the barber’s future lines and addresses are from Hynkel’s in the film, but that is a choice you must make next. The main purpose of having a deep lead barber is to deliver a final speech at the end of the film. This speech will make this your first film with dialogue. It will be a call for peace from the barber who has been mistaken for Hynkel. This speech could make people feel uplifted and motivated, so you could [[make it a bold and inspiring final speech->Bold final speech]]. However, your audience might critique it and find it too political. So, you could [[make it a light speech which avoids controversy->Light speech]]. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) surrounds some ideas about the Jewish barber's character in the film. The character, who is often mistaken for the dictator, is portrayed as a nuanced, humanistic character who embodied resilience and moral integrity in the face of World War Two and authoritarianism. The barber is a soldier during WWI who loses his memory and returns to his life years later, living in the ghetto under oppressive conditions. Chaplin plays both the dictator and the humble Jewish barber to emphasize the contrast of their values by using visual irony. It is also a political statement, to critique totalitarianism. Stephen Harvey, 'THE GREAT DICTATOR (1940),' Film Comment 8, no. 3 (1972): [Page 21], http://www.jstor.org/stable/43754729.")

Choosing to play it light with the Jewish barber role could help loosen some allegations made about your intentions of this film. Many could have believed that you deeply associate yourself with the dictator’s belief if you made both the dictator and the barber important roles who opposed each other throughout the film. However, because you didn’t make the barber a main emotional role, it could open possibilities for people to disregard him as just another side character and undercut his narrative function: the character who stood alone against the face of adversity. Ultimately, you have made the barber less important in this film, putting all the attention on the evil, authoritarianist, dictator, General Hynkel. Your final main choice to make for the film revolves around a final speech made by this barber. This speech is really important and needs to be said and acted out well to being the audience some piece of mind and conclude the film. This speech will make this your first film with dialogue. It will be a call for peace from the barber who has been mistaken for Hynkel. This speech could make people feel uplifted and motivated, so you could [[make it a bold and inspiring final speech->Bold final speech 2]]. However, your audience might critique it and find it too political. So, you could [[make it a light speech which avoids controversy->Light speech 2]]. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (not historical) explains that Chaplin was driven by a desire to convey powerful messages about the pursuit of hope in the face of adversity, which was ultimately why he chose to make the barber a deep emotional lead, instead of a comedic barber. This passage is not historical as Chaplin's choice to portray the Jewish barber as a deeply humanistic character rather than a purely comedic or satirical one was a deliberate artistic and ethical decision. Labeling this character as purely satirical is not historically accurate because the character embodies a profound social, political, and emotional significance beyond visual humor. Elie Faure, 'The Art of Charlie Chaplin,' New England Review (1990-) 19, no. 2 (1998): [Page 148], http://www.jstor.org/stable/40243340.")

This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, choosing to make it a bold final speech helped distinguish the two main characters from another, emphasizing the foil and the dramatic foil between them. This contrast serves to highlight the particular opposing qualities and beliefs of them. Including a very heavy speech, made by the barber, allowed the audience to see your whole picture and message. This scene will finally capture the film’s moral vision. This final monologue will be the most famous image of the film. The barber, mistaken for Hynkel, will step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 1]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) outlines the entirety of the final speech from The Great Dictator and emphasizes how powerful the bold speech made was on the audience and how it really tied the film together. It explains how the speech addressed the resemblance between the barber and the dictator, showing the foil of their characters. This source shows that in his autobiography Chaplin quotes himself as having said: 'One doesn't have to be a Jew to be anti Nazi. All one has to be is a normal decent human being.' This quote just makes Chaplin's beliefs manifest and clear. It shows his intentions for the speech, making it very moving and inspirational. 'The Final Speech from The Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/synopsis/articles/29-The-Great-Dictator-s-Speech. This passage also took inspiration from a YouTube clip of the final speech. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator, 2016, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20.")

This speech and final monologue will be the deciding point on how popular and motivating this film will be. This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, making this a lighter speech, in attempt to make it less controversial, made it lack emotional and sentimental value, which is the main factor to getting the audience motivated and for them to see the big message of your film. Although it lacks certain aspects needed, this didn’t completely break the film, it just was more subtle. This final monologue was supposed to be the most famous image of the film; however, it did not come across as powerful as the audience hoped. Your goal was to make the barber mistaken for Hynkel, step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. But your vision got compromised in attempt to not get hate and controversy. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 2]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (not historical) revolves around the fact that Chaplin could have decided to not include a heavily political speech as it could betray his inability to sustain a comic register all the way through the end of the film and might distract the audience from the main point and goal of the film. Christian Delage, 'Filming the Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, last modified 2005, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/13-Filming-The-Great-Dictator.")

This speech and final monologue will be the deciding point on how popular and motivating this film will be. This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, making this a lighter speech, in attempt to make it less controversial, made it lack emotional and sentimental value, which is the main factor to getting the audience motivated and for them to see the big message of your film. Although it lacks certain aspects needed, this didn’t completely break the film, it was just made less risky. This final monologue was supposed to be the most famous image of the film; however, it did not come across as powerful as the you hoped for. Your goal was to make the barber mistaken for Hynkel, step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. But your vision got compromised in attempt to not get hate and controversy. But this choice sort of fit your pick for a comedic and less serious barber; because the barber wasn’t presented as a big character, the audience couldn’t have had big expectations for him, making it perfect that he had a low level speech, lacking (cycling-link: "gravitas.","seriousness") Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 4]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (not historical) revolves around the fact that Chaplin could have decided not to include a heavily political included speech as it could betray his inability to sustain to comic register all the way through the end of the film and might distract the audience from the main point and goal of the film. Christian Delage, 'Filming the Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, last modified 2005, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/13-Filming-The-Great-Dictator.")

This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, choosing to make it a bold final speech helped distinguish the two main characters from another, emphasizing the dramatic foil between them. This contrast serves to highlight the particular opposing qualities and beliefs of them. Including a very heavy speech, made by the barber, allowed the audience to see your whole picture and message. This final monologue will be the most famous image of the film. The barber, mistaken for Hynkel, will step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. However, this speech includes the barber’s final call for peace, but you chose for him to be a comedic and less serious character. The audience could be confused on how and why this satirical and humorous character could be delivering this important speech. Some people could be left puzzled and not understand the importance and the motivation of this speech. Since you picked to make the barber less significant and emotional, it made the speech less substantial and inspirational. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 3]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) outlines the entirety of the final speech from The Great Dictator and emphasizes how powerful the bold speech made was on the audience and how it really tied the film together. It explains how the speech addressed the resemblance between the barber and the dictator, showing the foil of their characters. This source shows that in his autobiography Chaplin quotes himself as having said: 'One doesn't have to be a Jew to be anti Nazi. All one has to be is a normal decent human being.' This quote just makes Chaplin's beliefs manifest and clear. It shows his intentions for the speech, making it very moving and inspirational. 'The Final Speech from The Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/synopsis/articles/29-The-Great-Dictator-s-Speech. This passage also took inspiration from a YouTube clip of the final speech. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator, 2016, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20.")

Congrats Chaplin! You have completed and released your new big upcoming film: The Great Dictator. It was a success! You feel accomplished knowing that you stood up against the horrible persecutions and totalitarianism in the world. Although it was very inspirational, it faced some backlash from all of the direct confrontations of the political situations surrounding Hitler, the persecutions, and the war. Unfortunately, it did get banned in Chicago, reportedly to avoid offending the sizeable German population there. But do not fear, it was a big hit all over the world and it became the second most popular movie in 1941. One major scene that the audience found very moving was your final speech. One line became so recognizable: ‘To those who can hear me, I say – do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress.’ It achieved immediate popularity, considerable box office success, and lasting recognition. Good job Chaplin! [[The end->Starting point]] (cycling-link: "∞", "This ending was mainly historical, just lacking the fact that Chaplin portrayed Hitler as more comedic than serious and dangerous. However, it is true (historical) that the film got banned in Chicago upon its release, due to heavy political beliefs being shown against Hitler, a popular figure in Germany. Jonathan Rosenbaum, 'Rediscovering Charlie Chaplin,' Cin aste 29, no. 4 (2004): [Page 55], http://www.jstor.org/stable/41689784. The quote used in this passage (historical) is taken from a YouTube video of the final speech. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator, 2016, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20.")

Congrats Chaplin! You have completed and released your new big upcoming film: The Great Dictator! It was a success as the message successfully reached the audience. But since there was no bold speech made, the audience didn’t truly get an ending scene where the barber proudly announces his beliefs separate from Hynkel. So, people thought it was a little watered down. The audience found it weird that you highlighted the barber's role, making him a lead character, but then gave him a short insufficient speech at the end, instead of a bold and proud one. Luckily, the film did not face any backlash for any extra political implications, because there was no chance for one. It achieved immediate popularity and fame, just some discontent for the underwhelming speech. Good job Chaplin! [[The end->Starting point]] (cycling-link: "∞", "This ending passage is not completely historical since Chaplin chose to make Adenoid Hynkel more comedic, the barber deeply emotional, and to include a bold final speech.")

Congrats Chaplin! You have completed and released your new big upcoming film: The Great Dictator. You feel accomplished knowing that you stood up against the horrible persecutions and totalitarianism in the world. But since there was no bold speech made, the audience didn’t truly get an ending scene where the barber proudly announces his beliefs separate from Hynkel. So, people thought it was a little toned down. The good part is that the barber was portrayed less as a deeply involved lead so the audience did not fully expect a long motivational speech; however, it is always a downer to not get a full experience of a speech. Fortunately, it did not get banned or prohibited anywhere due to the lack of straightforward mentions of the political situation around the world. The film did get fame overtime, but not immediately, due to no shock factor. Good job Chaplin! [[The end->Starting point]] (cycling-link: "∞", "This passage is not historical as the film did actually get banned in Chicago when it first got released, due to sensitive topics and the large population of Germans there. It is also not historical since the film did originally include a bold final speech, giving it immediate popularity. Jonathan Rosenbaum, 'Rediscovering Charlie Chaplin,' Cin aste 29, no. 4 (2004): [Page 55], http://www.jstor.org/stable/41689784.")

This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, choosing to make it a bold final speech helped distinguish the two main characters from another, emphasizing the foil and the dramatic foil between them. This contrast serves to highlight the particular opposing qualities and beliefs of them. Including a very heavy speech, made by the barber, allowed the audience to see your whole picture and message. And the addition of a less threatening dictator could help give more fame to the important barber. This final monologue will be the most famous image of the film. The barber, mistaken for Hynkel, will step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. So, it was probably a good idea to make it a more motivating and driving speech instead of a softened version. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 5]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) outlines the entirety of the final speech from The Great Dictator and emphasizes how powerful the bold speech made was on the audience and how it really tied the film together. It explains how the speech addressed the resemblance between the barber and the dictator, showing the foil of their characters. This source shows that in his autobiography Chaplin quotes himself as having said: 'One doesn't have to be a Jew to be anti Nazi. All one has to be is a normal decent human being.' This quote just makes Chaplin's beliefs manifest and clear. It shows his intentions for the speech, making it very moving and inspirational. 'The Final Speech from The Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/synopsis/articles/29-The-Great-Dictator-s-Speech. This passage also took inspiration from a YouTube clip of the final speech. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator, 2016, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20.")

This speech and final monologue will be the deciding point on how popular and motivating this film will be. This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, making this a lighter speech, in attempt to make it less controversial, made it lack emotional and sentimental value, which is the main factor to getting the audience motivated and for them to see the big message of your film. Although it lacks certain aspects needed, this didn’t completely break the film, it just made it more subtle. This final monologue was supposed to be the most famous image of the film; however, it did not come across as powerful as the audience hoped. Your goal was to make the barber mistaken for Hynkel, step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. But your vision got compromised in attempt to not get hate and controversy. But the addition of a less threatening dictator could help give more fame to the important barber. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 6]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (not historical) revolves around the fact that Chaplin could have decided to not include a heavily political included speech as it could betray his inability to sustain to comic register all the way through the end of the film and might distract the audience from the main point and goal of the film. Christian Delage, 'Filming the Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, last modified 2005, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/13-Filming-The-Great-Dictator.")

Congrats Chaplin! You have completed and released your new big upcoming film: The Great Dictator. It was a success! You feel accomplished knowing that you stood up against the horrible persecutions and totalitarianism in the world. Although it was very inspirational, it faced some backlash from all of the direct confrontations of the political situations surrounding Hitler, the persecutions, and the war. Unfortunately, it did get banned in Chicago, reportedly to avoid offending the sizeable German population there. But do not fear, it was a big hit all over the world and it became the second most popular movie in 1941. It became so popular that one scene became so recognizable and motivational. This line occurs after the barber has been mistaken for Hynkel and is escorted into the dictator’s palace: ‘Could I have the pleasure of speaking with the (cycling-link: "Führer","leader")?’. This is because it exemplifies your merge of humor with political commentary, capturing the absurdity of the dictator and setting up the mistaken identity comedic premise for the film The one choice that had a major impact on your film was creating a comedic character for Dictator Hynkel. It helped add humor in it and allowed the audience to enjoy it. It achieved immediate popularity, considerable box office success, and lasting recognition. Good job Chaplin! [[The end->Starting point]] (cycling-link: "∞", "This ending was mainly historical, just lacking the fact that Chaplin portrayed Hitler as more comedic than serious and dangerous. However, it is true (historical) that the film got banned in Chicago upon its release, due to heavy political beliefs being shown against Hitler, a popular figure in Germany. Jonathan Rosenbaum, 'Rediscovering Charlie Chaplin,' Cin aste 29, no. 4 (2004): [Page 55], http://www.jstor.org/stable/41689784. This passage also takes a quote from a YouTube video of The Great Dictator. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Adenoid Hynkel's Palace - The Great Dictator (1940), Charlie Chaplin, 2021, accessed October 21, 2025, https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+great+dictator+when+barber+is+taken+to+dictators+palace&&view=detail&mid=9CA170C59DF4546EDAA39CA170C59DF4546EDAA3&FORM=VRDGAR.")

Congrats Chaplin! You feel successful as you have completed and released your new big upcoming film: The Great Dictator! You hope the message reaches the audience in response to your critical decisions made. One major choice made that had an impact on your film was your decision to not include a motivational monologue at the end, making the audience a little confused on why you highlighted the barber’s role and then gave him a short insufficient speech. Luckily, the film did not face any backlash for any extra political implications, since there were no chances for any. It achieved immediate popularity and fame, just some discontent for the underwhelming speech. Great job Chaplin! [[The end->Starting point]] (cycling-link: "∞", "This ending was mainly historical other than the fact that Chaplin chose to include a proud and bold speech, instead of a timid and calmer one. The point that states that there was no backlash is also nonhistorical since the film originally got banned in Chicago.")

This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, choosing to make it a bold final speech helped distinguish the two main characters from another, emphasizing the foil and the dramatic foil between them. This contrast serves to highlight the particular opposing qualities and beliefs of them. Your goal was to include a very heavy speech, made by the barber, to allow the audience to see your whole picture and message. But you chose to make both main characters less serious and deep emotional leads, and more comedic, ultimately softening the meaning of the speech. This final monologue will be the most famous image of the film. The barber, mistaken for Hynkel, will step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. However, this speech includes the barber’s final call for peace, but you chose for him to be a satirical and less serious character, in addition to the more comedic tyrant. The audience could be confused on how and why this satirical and humorous character could be delivering this important speech. Some people could be left puzzled and not understand the importance and the motivation of this speech. Since you picked to make the barber less significant and emotional, it made the speech less substantial and inspirational. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 7]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) outlines the entirety of the final speech from The Great Dictator and emphasizes how powerful the bold speech made was on the audience and how it really tied the film together. It explains how the speech addressed the resemblance between the barber and the dictator, showing the foil of their characters. This source shows that in his autobiography Chaplin quotes himself as having said: 'One doesn't have to be a Jew to be anti Nazi. All one has to be is a normal decent human being.' This quote just makes Chaplin's beliefs manifest and clear. It shows his intentions for the speech, making it very moving and inspirational. 'The Final Speech from The Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/synopsis/articles/29-The-Great-Dictator-s-Speech. This passage also took inspiration from a YouTube clip of the final speech. Charlie Chaplin, dir., Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator, 2016, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20.")

This speech and final monologue will be the deciding point on how popular and motivating this film will be. This is what ties all of the film together, the final speech. This decision could make or break the outcome of your masterpiece. However, making this a lighter speech, in attempt to make it less controversial, made it lack emotional and sentimental value, which is the main factor to getting the audience motivated and for them to see the big message of your film. Although it lacks certain aspects needed, this didn’t completely break the film, it just toned it down. This final monologue was supposed to be the most famous image of the film; however, it did not come across as powerful as you hoped for. Your goal was to make the barber mistaken for Hynkel, step onto a stage and speak directly to the audience, delivering the message: humanity must reject dictatorship and embrace compassion and freedom. This scene will capture the film’s moral vision. But your vision got compromised in attempt to not get hate and controversy. But this choice sort of fit your pick for a comedic and less serious barber; because the barber wasn’t presented as a big character, the audience couldn’t have had big expectations for him, making it perfect that he had a low level speech, lacking gravitas. Not only did you have less serious, and ultimately less powerful main leads, but a soft, light final speech, intended to motivate the audience further, not bore them. Click here to see [[your impact and end result->Ending 8]] of your directorship and acting. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (not historical) revolves around the fact that Chaplin could have decided to not include a heavily political included speech as it could betray his inability to sustain to comic register all the way through the end of the film and might distract the audience from the main point and goal of the film. Christian Delage, 'Filming the Great Dictator,' Charlie Chaplin, last modified 2005, accessed September 15, 2025, https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/13-Filming-The-Great-Dictator.")

Congrats Chaplin! You have completed and released your new big upcoming film: The Great Dictator. You feel accomplished knowing that you stood up against the horrible persecutions and totalitarianism in the world. But since there was no bold speech made, the audience didn’t truly get an ending scene where the barber proudly announces his beliefs separate from Hynkel. So, people thought it was more subtle and less risky. The good part is that the barber was portrayed less as a deeply involved lead so the audience did not fully expect a long motivational speech; however, it is always a downer to not get a full experience of a speech. Fortunately, it did not get banned or prohibited anywhere due to the lack of straightforward mentions of the political situation around the world. The film did get fame overtime, but not immediately, due to no shock factor. Good job Chaplin! [[The end->Starting point]] (cycling-link: "∞", "This ending was mainly historical other than the fact that Chaplin chose to include a proud and bold speech, instead of a timid and calmer one and to make the barber a more prominent lead. The point that states that there was no backlash is also nonhistorical since the film originally got banned in Chicago.")

NHM Chaplin: Behind the Camera, Against the Dictator It is the late 1930s, you, Charlie Chaplin, are planning to begin directing your new upcoming show to expose the tragedies in the world revolving around a certain political dictator. [[Start your journey->Introduction]] [[Bibliography->Bibliography]] [[Designer Statement->Designer Statement]]

Bibliography Chaplin, Charlie, dir. Charlie Chaplin - Adenoid Hynkel's Palace - The Great Dictator (1940). Charlie Chaplin, 2021. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+great+dictator+when+barber+is+taken+to+dictators+palace&&view=detail&mid=9CA170C59DF4546EDAA39CA170C59DF4546EDAA3&FORM=VRDGAR. Chaplin, Charlie, dir. Charlie Chaplin - Complete Globe Scene - The Great Dictator. Charlie Chaplin Youtube, 5. Accessed October 11, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jj-PaqFrBc. Chaplin, Charlie, dir. Charlie Chaplin - Final Speech from The Great Dictator. 2016. Accessed October 12, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20. Daub, Adrian. "'HANNAH, CAN YOU HEAR ME?'? CHAPLIN'S 'GREAT DICTATOR', 'SCHTONK,' AND THE VICISSITUDES of VOICE." Criticism 51, no. 3 (2009): 451-82. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23131524. Delage, Christian. "Filming the Great Dictator." Charlie Chaplin. Last modified 2005. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/13-Filming-The-Great-Dictator. Erickson, Barson M. "Charlie Chaplin." Britannica. Last modified July 28, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charlie-Chaplin/Final-works-A-King-in-New-York-and-A-Countess-from-Hong-Kong. Faure, Elie. "The Art of Charlie Chaplin." New England Review (1990-) 19, no. 2 (1998): 146-51. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40243340. "The Final Speech from The Great Dictator." Charlie Chaplin. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.charliechaplin.com/en/synopsis/articles/29-The-Great-Dictator-s-Speech. Grace, Harry A. "Charlie Chaplin's Films and American Culture Patterns." The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 10, no. 4 (1952): 353-63. https://doi.org/10.2307/426065. Harvey, Stephen. "THE GREAT DICTATOR (1940)." Film Comment 8, no. 3 (1972): 20-22. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43754729. Rosenbaum, Jonathan. "Rediscovering Charlie Chaplin." Cinaste 29, no. 4 (2004): 52-56. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41689784. [[Back to start->Starting point]] [[Start your journey->Introduction]]

Your original idea is to act as both the comedic dictator, and the humble Jewish barber. Choosing to make the film have two bold main characters who are opposites created a tone and a deeper meaning to the overall film, even though you chose a less dangerous, commanding authoritarian. This formed an uncanny resemblance between this innocent Jewish barber, and Adolf Hitler, representing opposite poles of humanity. But this main point was a little calmed down since you decided to portray Hitler in a more satirical way. This dual role could ultimately help the meaning of the film get across easier to the audience. You decide, throughout the film, to have both characters get mistaken for one another, and ultimately meeting, but not face to face, rather voice to face, using their similarity as a weapon. You are at pains to make clear just how different the barber’s future lines and addresses are from Hynkel’s in the film, but that is a choice you must make next. The main purpose of having a deep lead barber is to deliver a final speech at the end of the film. This speech will make this your first film with dialogue. It will be a call for peace from the barber who has been mistaken for Hynkel. This speech could make people feel uplifted and motivated, so you could [[make it a bold and inspiring final speech->Bold final speech 3]]. However, your audience might critique it and find it too political. So, you could [[make it a light speech which avoids controversy->Light speech 3]]. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (historical) surrounds some ideas about the Jewish barber's character in the film. The character, who is often mistaken for the dictator, is portrayed as a nuance, humanistic character who embodied resilience and moral integrity in the face of World War Two and authoritarianism. The barber is a soldier during WWI who loses his memory and returns to his life years later, living in the ghetto under oppressive conditions. Chaplin plays both the dictator and the humble Jewish barber to emphasize the contrast of their values by using visual irony. It is also a political statement, to critique totalitarianism. Stephen Harvey, 'THE GREAT DICTATOR (1940),' Film Comment 8, no. 3 (1972): [Page 21], http://www.jstor.org/stable/43754729.")

Choosing to play it light with the Jewish barber role could help loosen some allegations made about your intentions of this film. However, because you didn’t make the barber a main emotional role, it could open possibilities for people to disregard him as just another side character and undercut his narrative function: the character who stood alone against the face of adversity. Ultimately, you made both the dictator and the barber side roles which could undercut the entire purpose of the film. Your final main choice to make for the film revolves around a final speech made by this barber. This speech is really important and needs to be said and acted out well to bring the audience some peace of mind and conclude the film. This speech will make this your first film with dialogue. It will be a call for peace from the barber who has been mistaken for Hynkel. This speech could make people feel uplifted and motivated, so you could [[make it a bold and inspiring final speech->Bold final speech 4]]. However, your audience might critique it and find it too political. So, you could [[make it a light speech which avoids controversy->Light speech 4]]. (cycling-link: "∞", "This source (not historical) explains that Chaplin was driven by a desire to convey powerful messages about the pursuit of hope in the face of adversity, which was ultimately why he chose to make the barber a deep emotional lead, instead of a comedic barber. This passage is not historical as Chaplin's choice to portray the Jewish barber as a deeply humanistic character rather than a purely comedic or satirical one was a deliberate artistic and ethical decision. Labeling this character as purely satirical is not historically accurate because the character embodies a profound social, political, and emotional significance beyond visual humor. Elie Faure, 'The Art of Charlie Chaplin,' New England Review (1990-) 19, no. 2 (1998): [Page 148], http://www.jstor.org/stable/40243340.")

Designer Statement: I got the idea for my Twine game after seeing a bunch of Charlie Chaplin clips on social media, especially on TikTok. I didn’t know much about him before, but something about the way he moved and expressed so much without saying a word really caught my attention. His character, “The Tramp,” was funny, but also kind of sad and thoughtful. I wanted to explore that more and see if I could turn it into a game where people could experience what it might’ve been like to be him once I realized it was time to begin the Twine quarter project. After doing some research, I learned that The Great Dictator came out in 1940, right before the U.S. entered World War II. Chaplin was one of the first major public figures to openly criticize Hitler, which was super risky. A lot of people didn’t want to get involved in European politics, and some even supported Hitler. So, Chaplin had to decide whether to speak out or stay silent. I really admired Chaplin’s decision. Since I didn’t really enjoy my Twine topic last year, I figured this could be a fun yet interesting topic to make my project about. One of the best parts of the project was figuring out how to make those decisions feel real in the game. Twine let me create branching paths where the player chooses things like how to portray the dictator character, whether to include a big speech at the end, and how to play the deep and emotional barber. It was fun to build but also made me think hard about how to keep the story interesting while staying true to history. In comparison to last year, I think I enjoyed making this game much more and the research was very interesting. Researching was a mix of easy and hard. There’s a lot of info about Chaplin and The Great Dictator, but I had to dig deeper to understand the political climate of the 1930s and 40s and how his release of the film impacted the audience and whether it got banned or not. I read articles about how the film was received, how Chaplin felt about Hitler, and how the movie impacted audiences. The hardest part was figuring out how to turn all that into game choices that felt meaningful but didn’t overwhelm the player with too much information. I think the game turned out well in showing the major choices Chaplin made to create a film like The Great Dictator. I was proud that I could mix storytelling, history, and interactivity in a way that made people think. If I had more time, I’d add more scenes about the behind-the-scenes stuff; like how Chaplin worked with actors or dealt with censorship. I’d also love to include more visuals and maybe some audio clips to make it feel more like a movie set if that was possible on Twine. Overall, this project helped me understand how powerful storytelling can be, especially when it’s based on real history. Chaplin used film to speak out against injustice, and I wanted my game to show how brave and creative that was. [[Back to start->Starting point]] [[Start your journey->Introduction]]