The Kid – Charlie Chaplin – 1921

1. Chaplin’s The Kid is often referred to as a comedy, but a large percentage of the film deals with serious social issues. How does this combination affect your reaction while you watch it?

2. What (or who) are the most common sources of humour in The Kid? How does Chaplin incorporate comedy into his more serious (even melodramatic) plot?

3. What sorts of characters appear in The Kid? What attitude does the film take toward them? What makes them sympathetic (or not)? How does each function in the plot? Why do you think their names are never revealed? What effect does that have on your involvement in the story?