In the poems that we had read in class (Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden), we found some connections to these poems and our analysis of The Godfather. Those Winter Sundays describes the relationship between a father and a son. Like the relationship between Michael and The Godfather. "Sundays too my father got up early/...with cracked hands that ached from labor..." (Hayden, 1, 3-4), explains how tired his father is from doing all of the chores around the house at an early hour. This resembles The Godfather, because it shows how much The Godfather cares for his children because he "spoils them". Both show how even though a father may seem cruel, or seem to do illegal things (in The Godfather's case), both fathers care for their sons, even though it may not seem like it.
To make this more relevant to The Godfather, the son in the Hayden poem, seemed to be coming to terms, with what his father does for the family (or more specifically to the son). It seems that Michael is starting to be coming to terms with his father -- being more conscience of his family values than he was before. Like when he was in the hospital where is father was. "I'm with you Pop, I'm with you now", he is now being more appreciative about his father: Don Vito Corleone, will always be Michael's father. Just as the son in the poem, how he had just come to the realization of how much he meant to his father,
and what he had done.
Michael is maturing about the role that his father played in his life and in a lot of other people's lives (who come from Italy and want to start fresh, or who want to have "The American Dream"). With this realization, he will use the thoughts of his father's role to continue his way through Joesph Campbell's Hero's Journey Theory.
What do you think? Do you think that he will turn into his father to (eventually) fill in his father's shoes as the next "Don"?
New Words - will (hopefully) keep updating
13 years ago
I agree with most of the statements you have made in this blog post; especially the part where you talk about how Don Corleone works hard to keep his family safe and happy. The question that comes to my mind is: "Is Don Corleone working with the intention of protecting his family? Or is he working for something more?"
ReplyDeleteI believe that if all Don Corleone wanted was a happy family, he could have easily lived in a farm or a small house in a rural area. He could also have gotten a job that pays average income instead of taking up a post of a high earning mafia leader. I say this because there is a quotation, "Money doesn't buy happiness." Most of the families in the world make average or even below average income but still live happily because the family members support and love each other. It is true that Don Corleone's family loves one another but they are associated in dangerous business that force them to risk their lives. They could have lived happily in a small house with perhaps little money because if the family members get along very well, they can push through any obstacle from they support they can give one another.
The major turning point that I have seen in this movie happened in the hospital when Michael said to his father, "I'm with you now Pop, I'm with you now." This was perhaps the turning point for Michael's entire life. The use of foreshadowing with the number "2" on the hospital wall definitely points to Michael taking over the family business.
This is a really good analysis but I think if we answer the question of "Don Corleone's true intentions" (if there is one) the future plot may be more clear.
I see what you are getting at.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question: What are Don Corleone's true intentions? I think when he was a small boy, he grew up in a poor family, who got by, by doing crime. Maybe he did not want to put his family in that kind of situation again, that when he first started (crime), it was hard to stop. Then again it is too early to say, considering the amount of the film that we have seen. Or maybe (as you said) if Don Corleone does have true intentions.
I agree with the point that you made about foreshadow, with the room number two, Don Corleone and Michael in the same shot. I think at this point, it is obvious to tell that Michael is going to be the next Corleone to take over the business because of this trick that Ford Coppila pulled on the audience.
I also forgot to mention...
ReplyDeleteMaybe that is why Mr. McGuigan wanted us to read this poem by Hayden. There is a sense of family in the film. Maybe that is Corleone's true intention? I think that family has to do with something. Obviously in the beginning there was a huge party for Corleone's daughter's wedding, with all of the members of the family. I think there is more to that. I think it is more between Don Corleone and Michael and Don Corleone's connections that are really going to move this film along. < Obvious