How did the Little Tramp’s character change during Charlie Chaplin’s early Keystone films?

During Charlie Chaplin’s early Keystone films, his screen persona underwent a significant evolution. In his debut, Making a Living (1914), he portrayed a "mercenary dandy," a character that did not effectively showcase his talents.1

To develop a more workable image, Chaplin improvised the iconic costume of the Little Tramp—featuring a small coat, oversized pants, floppy shoes, a battered derby, a postage-stamp mustache, and a cane—which first appeared in his second film, Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914).1

The 35 comedies Chaplin produced at Keystone served as a "gestation period" for the character, during which he transitioned from a mere caricature into a fully realized persona. While initially a simple comedic figure, the character grew into the "quintessential misfit"—a resilient survivor who was often shunned by society yet capable of unexpected gallantry. This period of development laid the foundation for the deeper elements of pathos that Chaplin would later inject into his work after leaving Keystone.1