Widely recognized in his character of the Tramp, Charlie Chaplin transcended the role of actor to become screenwriter, director, composer, producer, and finally studio head. The subject of numerous biographical studies, Chaplin has been examined as both myth and man, but these treatments fail to adequately address the often-overlooked complexity of his filmmaking. Refocusing Chaplin A Screen Icon through Critical Lenses features essays that examine the actor and director through various theoretical perspectives-including Marxism, feminism, gender studies, deconstruction, psychoanalytic criticism, new historicism, performance studies, and cultural criticism. Complementing this range of intellectual inquiry is the wide reach of films discussed, from The Circus 1928, The Gold Rush 1925, and City Lights 1931 to Modern Times 1936, The Great Dictator 1940, Monsieur Verdoux 1947, and Limelight 1952. Shorter films, such as The Pawnshop 1916, The Rink 1916, and A Dog's Life 1918 are also examin