Throughout the film, the few characters take an introspective look at their lives or the unjust social institutions that shape them. When Charlie catches Big Ben, his friend from the factory, stealing from the department store, Big Ben remarks: “We are not thieves, we are hungry. ”(Modern Times). His dialogue is simple and passive, yet he has almost a moment of clarity about the institution of his life. When Bill points out that "We are not thieves," he takes the first step to seeing the oppressive social institutions that are harming his life. He does not complete the analysis, but instead applies the ideas pragmatically applies the idea of ​​hyperrationalism to his situation arriving at the conclusion that it is his fault that he is hungry. He passively accepts that they are structural forces in his life and blames himself because it is the most rational solution. Throughout the film this is a recurring motif as many characters identify inequality in their lives, but do not analyze it. When Charlie and Ellen try to realize their dream of owning a home, Ellen realizes they can't afford it. However, he does not seem to think about the social institutions that cause his and Charlie's poverty. His lack of analysis is a manifestation of his false consciousness