“The Godfather” is a story about the rise and fall of a Mafia family. Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the family, is a powerful and respected figure. However, he is also a ruthless businessman who is not afraid to use violence to protect his family and his interests. When the patriarch is shot by a rival family, his youngest son, Michael, is forced to take charge. Michael is initially reluctant to get involved in the family business, but he quickly learns that he must do whatever it takes to protect his family and uphold their legacy.
The novel opens with Amerigo’s daughter’s assault. Amerigo Bonasera, a successful mortician came seeking revenge for the assault on his daughter by two men. He turns to Don Vito Corleone, the powerful head of the Corleone crime family, for help. The Don initially refuses to help Amerigo but later agrees. Then comes the wedding of Connie Corleone, Vito’s youngest daughter. At the wedding, Vito is approached by Virgil Sollozzo, a drug kingpin who wants Vito to invest in his drug business. Vito refuses, and Sollozzo retaliates by having Vito shot. This was a turning point in the novel as the attempted assassination of the Don premeditated many events.
Michael becomes increasingly ruthless as he consolidates his power and expands the family’s business. However, I believe his success comes at a price as he loses his innocence, his humanity, and his family. “The Godfather” is a story that warns us about the dangers of power and the corrupting influence of the Mafia world. It is also a powerful story we can use to learn about family and loyalty.
The rising action can be seen when Don Vito lies recovering in the hospital, Michael Corleone, his youngest son, takes charge of the family business. Michael, who initially wanted no part in the family business, becomes involved when he intervenes in an attempt on his father’s life. He flees to Sicily to avoid retribution, and the narrative follows his experiences in exile. With Michael in Sicily, the story shifts back to New York, where the family is grappling with the aftermath of the assassination attempt on the Don. Sonny Corleone takes charge, and tensions with rival families escalate.
The Corleones orchestrate a complex plan to eliminate their rivals, culminating in a series of assassinations. This is the climax of the story as we see how Micheal takes charge. He transforms from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless leader. He quickly learns that the Mafia is a dangerous and cutthroat world. He is forced to make difficult decisions and confront his own dark side. Michael is a brilliant strategist and a ruthless negotiator. He learns the ropes of the Mafia, and he begins to consolidate the Corleone family’s power. In the end, Michael Corleone transforms from a reluctant outsider to a ruthless Godfather.
The falling action in the novel can be seen when Michael solidifies his position as the new Don. However, Michael’s success comes at a price. He becomes increasingly isolated from his family and friends, and he begins to lose his own humanity. He loses his innocence and his compassion in the process of becoming a ruthless businessman. He also alienates his loved ones and becomes increasingly isolated. Even though Micheal Corleone doesn’t want to get involved in the family business, he is determined to protect his family and avenge his father.
I thought the novel ends here but the narrative continues in Sicily’s, where Michael falls in love and marries a local woman named Apollonia. I felt the author could have left Micheal in Sicily, Italy and let Sonny, the first son take over his father’s business in New York. But the unexpected twist in the story when Micheal’s wife, Apollonia is killed in a car bombing intended for him gave the novel a good turn. That is the main reason he decides to return to New York, determined to avenge his father’s attempted assassination and became a reluctant hero.
The resolution in the novel can be seen when Micheal’s wife demands to know if he is the one who committed those assassinations and he denies them. He is a tragic figure who is caught between two worlds: the world of his family and the world of the Mafia. However, the family’s empire is secure, but at a great cost, as Michael has become a true Godfather in every sense.
“The Godfather” is a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and corruption. It is also a powerful story about family, loyalty, and betrayal. It is a complex and powerful novel that explores the dark side of human nature. It is a story about power, corruption, and the price of success.