He is a vagrant because, in the state of the law, it is that or starve. But people have been brought up to believe in the tramp-monster, and so they prefer to think that there must be some more or less villainous motive for tramping. ibid.
Indeed, when one sees how tramps let themselves be bullied by the workhouse officials, it is obvious that they are the most docile, broken-spirited creatures imaginable. ibid.
It is an extraordinarily futile, acutely unpleasant life. ibid.
But the important point is that a tramp’s sufferings are entirely useless. He lives a fantastically disagreeable life, and live it to no purpose whatsoever. ibid.
I shall never again think that all tramps are drunken scoundrels, nor expect a beggar to be grateful when I give him a penny, nor be surprised if men out of work lack energy, nor subscribe to the Salvation Army, nor pawn my clothes, nor refuse a handbill, nor enjoy a meal at a smart restaurant. That is a beginning. ibid.
Was it the way he walked? His expression? His moustache? His hat or his cane? Chaplin: Charlie the tramp. Exactly a century after his first appearance in front of the camera, the tramp remains the icon of motion pictures, its most famous silhouette, its greatest star. Chaplin: The Birth of the Tramp, Sky Arts 2022
The Twentieth Century was only a few hours old when young Chaplin who had already left school was dividing his time between music hall tours and small ill-paid jobs. ibid.
‘I thought I would dress in baggy pants, big shoes, cane and a derby hat. I wanted everything in contradiction … By the time I walked on the stage, the Tramp was fully born.’ ibid.
I’ve got a right to … sock you in the earhole. Play for Today: Edna, the Inebriate Woman starring Patricia Hayes, Edna at dosshouse without cards, BBC 1971
Oh, Edna. I’ve got nowhere for you to go. They are closing all the beds in the women’s wing except for the one-night casuals. I’d take you in if I could. I’m sorry. ibid. geezer
I haven’t had a meal since yesterday. I didn’t have a meal today. I kept going on apples. ibid.
You couldn’t spare half a quid for a good time with two naughty girls? ibid. tramp to driver of car
Either I write here you’re disturbed and recommend you be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, or I say you’re sane and send you back to the court to deal with you as they see fit. Now which would you like? ibid. Shink to Edna
Everybody wants pills, dear. ibid. psychiatric inmate to Edna
Why didn’t they let me stay in the nick? ibid. Edna
They can live fulfilled lives. There should be hostels like ours everywhere … These are people, not monsters. ibid. hostel head
It is not in the public interest to operate a hostel in this particular area. You have one month from this date to cease operations. ibid. outcome of public inquiry
He called me a dirty tramp. My own father. Rebel Without a Cause 1955 starring James Dean & Natalie Wood & Sal Mineo & Jim Backus & Ann Doran & Corey Allen & William Hopper & Rochelle Hudson & Edward Platt & Nick Adams et al, director Nicholas Ray, Natalie Wood in rozzers’ station