Archetyes

When looking at the archetype "ritual" the obvious connection to the Godfather, one that was mentioned numerous in class, was the marriage between Micheal and Appolonia. The question I have surrounding this archetypes is: why on earth does it matter that Coppola shows the marriage between Appolonia and Micheal? What is its actual significance? What does it illuminate about the Hero's Journey? why would the "ritual" take place with Appolonia instead of Kay; especially when Appolonia is killed soon after?
So many question?
Are there any answers? ... Better yet, are the answers to these questions even worthwhile to explore?
How can we tell something is signigicant??
Perhaps it is how many times it appears; however, if crap appears more then once is it still meaningless the second time around?
Or, if something profound and signifcant is seen only once does that detteriorate its importance??
I do not know how or why I started some what ranting on this subject, or if it even directly connects to the archteype of "ritual", but if anyone as any answers to my spuratic rant please share:)
~Bhanesha

Hero's journey

In finishing part I of the Godfather the hero's journey portrayed throughout the film is absolutely blatant. In going through the characteristics of the Hero's Journey they are all accounted for; and, even the ones that are questionable such as: the hero has help from a divine or supernatural force, can presumably be true. In this case, Vito Corleone can possibly be pin pointed as the divine force as some would call it "almost supernatural like" when he get shot multiple times yet does not die. Not only that but, especially in the beginning, the Don gives the impression of being larger then life and seemingly having complete control over situations that arise. The Don seemingly having full control really became evident to me when Mr. Mcguigan pointed out the camera angle of being over the Don's shoulder in multiple scenes. With the fact known that Coppola really paid attention to underlying details and literary devices it would make scenes that he would chose that particular camera angle to communicate a message to the audience; almost like the Don is all seeing, perhaps on the verge of an omniscient character.
But then you have to wonder, what does this show about the Don? Did Coppola only create that angle to represent the Don's role in the hero's journey, or is it something more?
Or, perhaps it is just a case of "sometimes angle is just an angle"? I mean, Coppola obviously showed that camera angle for a reason; but maybe it was just to establish the Don's commanding presence in the movie. He does do this camera angle in the first scene of the film.
It is almost like how far can you stretch something? when is a potato just a potato?
~ Bhanesha

class act

In class Megan's curiosity about the scarlett woman prompted some interesting, plausible connections to the Godfather-particularly Kay. It was found by many different people that the Scarlet woman often referes to: a prostitute, whore and/or connecting to sin in some ways; usually based on the Christian Religion. And, as I believe Megan pointed out, is "sometimes seen riding the beast.
now, of course in the Godfather the Scarlett woman referes to Michael's girlfriend Kay, as she is consitently seen wearing red, and in one scene where she and Micheal are in the hotel, she is wearing scarlett. However, when the Scarlett Woman was brought up my first reaction was to think of Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind. It was an amazing revelation to make that connection because in thinking about it, Scarlett is portrayed as an exemplary "Scarlet women". Not only is her name Scarlett, but she is constantly pushing the boundaries of provocative behaviour; always having that edge of temptress about her.
I am not sure how much Scarlett O'Hara connects with the Godfather, or with Kay in that manner, but it really is interesting to see first hand how these ideas are repeated in literature over and over again. It is just evidence that hinges on that fact that perhaps the way human beings think really is not all that different. I mean, if we all had first degree burns covering our bodies ethnicity would not be an issue, if we all were provided with the opportunity to an education we would all be exposed to similar literature and basically taught the same math and science, if money was not existent that would not be an issue. So what exactly is the issue that claims to separate and divide us?

~Bhanesha

literary feature hunt

In only watching a small part of the Godfather I am already astounded at how many literary features are incorperated and intwined into the plot. Not only does this movie reach the audience that craves violence and a fast paced plot, but it also reaches out to the audience that can appretiate underlying conncections to the human condition.
Although it was the most odvious literary feature we have seen and analysed so far, the foreshadowing of utilizing the sicillian symbol for death, the fish in the tank at the bar where Luca Brasi was killed, was extremly clever and inovative. What was crazy about this use of litererary feature was that the use of foreshadowing did not become apparent until the big dead fish was delivered to Sonny; sending the message that Luca Brasi was offically "swimming with the fishes." It is amazing to think that one small, seemingly innocent, shot of fish in a fish tank could turn into an important message.
The message delivered through this literary feature did not only have to do with the plot but also with how this movie can be, and possibly, should be viewed- with extreme attention to underlying details. This blatant literary feature of foreshadowing and symbolizm indicates that Franis Ford Coppala is thinking about using the effective techinque of literary features to perhaps portray something of the human condition, present subtext beneath the plot, or to simply enhance the filming with another medium of communciation; the language of literature.

~ Bhanesha

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