"The Godfather" by Mario Puzo

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the methods used by the author Mario Puzo in his novel "The Godfather" to involve the reader in the plot. His glamorous portrayal of the mafia in general and of the Corleone family in particular force a moral dilemma on the reader. This paper claims that the reader must suspend judgment to enjoy the novel.

From the Paper:

"The first moral dilemma is the dilemma that frames the narrative or the plot of the book. Don Corleone came to America to continue the family "trade" of crime and yet to become an American success story in a legitimate fashion. However, he is unable, after the war between the different Mafia crime factions takes his appointed successor Sonny, to enable his son Michael to lead the legitimate life the Don wished him to. The Don wished to win social as well as economic legitimacy for his family in America. He wished to life the American dream, although the dream began on ill-gotten gains. He wished to wash his blood money clean. However, because of the way he earned his money, his son must live an immoral life. Michael cannot distance himself from his family, emotionally. He knows that the reason he has been allowed to live the life of a typical American is because of his father's life of crime. Thus, when the need arises, he must put aside his "legitimate" desires and pursue a life of crime, coming to the head of the Corleone family."

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