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The Godfather

Perspective of Storytelling

By: Makenzie Brian, Jimmy Radaford, Duke Matteis, Cameron Petrie, Alicia Welbourn, and Cody Simpson

Period 4

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Intro

Perspective plays a large part in The Godfather. The story is told through the lens of the Corleone family. This sets the mood of the film, and gives meaning to the characters’ actions.

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Thesis

The perspective of the Corleone family used in The Godfather influences how the audience views the film and shapes the audience’s opinions of the characters.

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Vito Gets Shot

  • Vito’s driver calls in sick which is very unlike him
  • Vito goes to pick out oranges and is gunned down
  • He still isn’t dead and sent to the hospital
  • When Vito gets shot the audience gets a feeling of betrayal

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Michael Visits Vito

  • Michael goes to the hospital to see his father, Vito.
  • When he arrives he starts to freak out about there being no guards for his protection.
  • Normally we would want him to die because he’s the head of the mafia and a “bad” guy.
  • Michael’s reaction makes us feel like he’s our father and have the same feelings he does.

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Michael Kills Solozzo & McCluskey

  • Because the story is told through the perspective of the Corleones, the audience is rooting for Michael as he goes through with this plan.
  • Despite the fact that he is committing murder, the viewer still wants him to succeed.
  • Because the audience is on his side, they feel the fear and anxiety that Michael is experiencing. This builds the tension of the scene, making it very powerful.

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Vito as the Main Light

  • Vito is the structure of the families.
  • When he is The Godfather, the Corleone family is held at a higher moral standard.
  • Even in his final moments he goes out as a good soul paying with his grandson.
  • As the movie continues, and Vito dies, so does the morality of “The Family”.
  • Michael is a much darker Godfather so the mood of the film changes drastically from the beginning to the end of the film.

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Feelings and Change

  • As the film progresses our feelings of the family and the main characters change.
  • Characters die and you like the Corleones less.
  • Power is bad for the feelings you have for them.

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Conclusion

  • The perspective of the Corleones used in the film influences how we feel about the characters and their actions as the movie progresses.
  • We are able to relate to the family and feel as if we are in the moment from their point of view.