Locked Out (Symbol)
At the beginning of the film, The Woman leaves the charity hospital as a nurse locks the gate behind her. This symbolic gesture establishes that she is being ejected from the hospital and forced out into society, where she must confront the reality of raising a child on her own with little or no money. Unable to turn back to the safety of the hospital and its supportive staff, The Woman can only go forward alone.
Cross to Bear (Symbol)
When the Woman leaves the charity hospital with her son, Chaplin shows the image of Jesus carrying the cross. With this symbol of burden, Chaplin suggests that the single mother, like Christ, has her own cross to bear—having a child out of wedlock with a man who will not support them.
Burnt Picture (Symbol)
In his art studio, The Man (John's father) looks at a photograph of The Woman. The picture falls into the fire when he turns away; he rescues it, but then throws it back into the fireplace to let it completely burn up. With this symbolic gesture, Chaplin shows that the man is choosing to forget about The Woman and to not take responsibility for their child.
Cigar and Cigarette Ends (Symbol)
At the beginning of the film, The Tramp opens a container filled with cigarette and cigar ends—a symbol of his poverty. Chaplin uses this symbol to establish that The Tramp is a poor man who cannot afford to purchase his own cigarettes or cigars, meaning he collects and smokes other people's ends off the ground. With this simple shot, the audience understands his socioeconomic position.
Horseshoe (Symbol)
When The Tramp loses John because the flophouse proprietor takes him to the police station, he returns to his home and finds the door locked. He falls asleep against the door, which has an upturned horseshoe nailed to it. This symbol of good luck proves to be valuable, as the police officer wakes The Tramp from his dream and brings him to The Woman's house to be reunited with John.
