Story of the underdog( i think so...)

An analysis of the rise and growth of the character of Michael Corleone from the novel “The Godfather”( here is the link for the trailer...if you have not seen the movie go watch it...!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf16Vc3iZjE)

“I understand. You found paradise in America, you had a good trade, and you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. And you didn't need a friend like me. But, uh, now you come to me, and you say: "Don Corleone, give me justice." But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me Godfather. Instead, you come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder for money.”

Vito” Don” Corleone

The Godfather

The Godfather is a fiction novel written by Italian American author Mario Puzo. It is loosely based on the “five Mafia families of New York” that were in power during the writing of the novel.

The plot

Set in the period of 1945 to 1955 it is a brutal yet well written tale of the Corleone family and their ascension to power in the New York Crime scene of that era. It captures and chronicles the transformational journey and the rise of Michael Corleone from the reluctant son who wants to choose a life of legitimacy to the ruthless mob boss attempting leave his mark on the regime.

In seeking to eke out the underdog of this story Michael Corleone we must first know and understand some of important characters that influence and ultimately pave his path to power.

Vito “Don” Corleone

The head of the Corleone family his role is seemingly brief yet very important. He is one of the most influential dons of the mob families. His role in giving rise to the true nature of the underdog comes at a terrible price he is wounded severely. It is the drama of this wounding that pushes Michael to act in a manner that changes his course of destiny.

Santino “Sonny” Corleone

He is the elder brother of Michael Corleone and becomes the head of the family when Don Corleone is injured. He was known to be brash and short tempered. In an attempt to de stabilize him during his ruling he is setup by his brother in law and members of the rival families and is killed during a drive-by shoot out.

Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo

A pivotal character, he is basically a rival Mob boss who wants to traffic heroin in New York. His attempt to enlist the aid of the Corleone Family in terms of police and street safety is turned down after the Don Corleone tells him that drugs will ruin the neighborhood and society. It is this incident and his planning that leads to the shooting of Don Corleone.

Mark Mclucksy

The body guard of The Turk he is a corrupt police Commissioner. He is murdered along with the Turk during the course of the story.

Carlo Rizzi

Married to the sister of Michael and Sonny he is involved in the plot that led to the shooting and death of Sonny.

Tom Hagen

He is the adopted son of Don Corleone and the Consigliore (advisor) of the family.

The Mafia

The mafia or “La Cosa Nostra” is a ruthless criminal organization deeply divided within into many families and clans. Due its very basic nature of being crime ridden it exists as an “every man for himself” alter- reality world, where personal interests are the only real importance. In such a world respect for a clan is only earned by its misdeeds and ability to criminalise.

It is in such an existence and plot we see consequences and events unfolding that lead to the “blooming” of the character Michael Corleone.

The evolution of Michael Corleone

The story beings with the wedding of Costanzia “Connie” Corleone, which takes place just after the end of the Second World War. Being the younger son he is always treated as the softer one and from a young age attempts to choose a path different from what his family does ultimately He returns from the war as a decorated marine (a decision which his family looked down upon).

The plot begins to unfold when “The Turk” along with the help of a rival family (Tataglia) he attempts to make a deal with Don Corleone to start trafficking Heroin in the city going along the lines of sharing profits in return for protection from the politicians and the police.

The don refuses him saying that drugs will ruin society and that such an association will jeopardize his political connections. In retaliation he orders an assassination attempt on the don which is partly successful. This is done in the hope that Sonny who will become thee next head of the family will be easier to manipulate and be convinced of the deal.

Surviving the assassination attempt the don begins to recuperate in a hospital. One night while visiting him in the Hospital Michael realizes that a second assassination attempt has been planned. He foils the attempt but is injured in the process.

After this incident the Turk calls for a meeting with the Corleone family. Realizing that he is a threat to the family Michael decides to assassinate him. In a spectacularly planned assassination Michael kills both the Turk and the Police Commissioner and then escapes to Sicily where he hides till the heat is off him. In Italy he courts and marries the daughter of a local bar owner. During the course of his stay in Italy the girl is killed when a car bomb intended for Michael explodes and kills her.

Also At this point of time Sonny Corleone is killed after he is setup and ambushed, with the don in retirement Michael returns to America and assumes control of the family.

Taking up power he creates and executes a plan in which the heads of all the rival families as well as those who were responsible for Sonny’s death are killed. In doing so he establishes complete control of New York City becoming the new Don.

Thus we see the rise of Michael from the role of the underdog to the role of the Don after all he was made an offer he could not refuse.

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