I think the most logical answer from my research is option c.
I'm not sure, but I tried.
Check out this website: http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ch-Co/Chaplin-Charlie.html .
It's really detailed and might help you find answers to your question.
The verb phrase, "have become", is functioning as an action verb.
The answer is C- corruption is rampant in institutions.
The title could be interpreted as a story about a man's dream and the confusion of was he dreaming or did that actually happen. Or it could be interpreted as a delusion a man had and he is having trouble figuring out the difference between reality or imagination.