1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

A very interesting feature of The Gold Rush is the circular type of narrative to tell the story. The story starts with the arrival of the main character into the setting. The character encounters his share of obstacles of hunger, rejection from his peers, and newly placed desire to achieve his goal aside from his first goal. To woo the heroine became the primary objective while becoming a gold millionaire became a secondary achievement. The story comes full circle having the main characters return to their point of origin a little wiser, a little smarter, a little happier and a little richer in all aspects. Another aspect of the film that struck as innovative considering the technology and young industry was the special effects used to give the audience the grandeur of the setting.

2) Find a related article and summarize the content. In the article Charlie Chaplins Film Heroines by Stephen M. Weissman he explores the engines of creation behind Chaplins heroines in his films. Charlie Chaplins childhood past, his strife in poverty in the streets of London, and his turmoil with his mothers mental illness and promiscuous past served as the engine for his leading ladies. His films were his intents to correct his own history. The article also delves in sorting the evidence to determine what Chaplins real childhood was like and what his mothers real situation was. Her mental illness, her venereal disease and her tumultuous relationships with her many lovers. Weissman, S. M. (1996). Charlie Chaplin's film heroines. Film History, 8(4), 439-445. http://library.kean.edu:4442/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=e7c9e3a8-c6a3-4603-a909c17d1c4156a7%40sessionmgr4005&vid=33&hid=4104

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class. How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.? After watching the film, initially, I was not understanding why the character of Georgia was symbolized as all that is good. After reading this article it managed to piece together why his female characters were so important and what they represented. Georgia was a woman caught in a never ended circle of pointless superficial lifestyle and wanting something more substantial. It was the Tramps mission to save her while saving himself, as well.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of 4 things: the screening, class discussions, text material and the article. I was not expected to see such a complete narration, story and cinematographic achievement from such basic technology of the times. Especially, from such a young and experimental industry like the film industry of 1925. Im so used to watching films with something that we take for granted, sound. Never would I think that a complete story with so much narrative could be told in silent form. The special effects used to establish the grandeur of the Alaskan landscapes was incredible. It managed to place the main characters in peril during the cabin and cliff scene without putting the actors in danger. What really made in impact is the reason behind his female characters in his films. After reading the article it made such an impact in my viewing his film. How the grim the past in poverty, broken home and mental illness shaped Chaplins views of social injustice and his own quest to correct his metaphoric reality through his Tramps relationships.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. Name: __Dennis Rojas___________________ Date: _____3/2/2014_____________________