COMMENT Choose one little -- and I mean little -- detail or quote that most likely nobody else noticed.
It must be something that shows HOW DIFFERENT the values, lifestyle, mentality, etc. are from those of ordinary people.
REPLY to one comment that seems particularly interesting or meaningful.
"Why did you go to the police? Why didn't you come to me at the beginning of this affair? ". An ordinary person living in America, will obviously report an assault to the police and expect to get justice. Bonasera apologizes to the Don for not coming to him first and expects the Don to give him justice.
ReplyDeleteYes this was so out of the norm. However back in the days mafia took over everything from taking money from the little stores to give them protection to the judges and law enforcement. It is crazy how so many people was being paid off by the mafia.
DeleteI totally agree with you. This clearly shows how differently people acted back then. Though the police were still a powerful force, people still relied on the mafia and private favors to get things done. That is unlike today where people call 911 at the slightest hint of distress.
Deletei agree with you and i choose the same quote because i believe when Don Corleone says something like this he is implying he is more in control and more helpful then relying on the the authorities like a person should be doing.
Delete"And perhaps, to show respect only, never for profit, some humble gift...."
ReplyDeleteThis truly shows Don's true colors, and how different they are than regular people. People normally expect equal payments in return for favors, but not Don. Don did not want payments for the favors he did, he just wanted a small token of appreciation. I don't think we can find many "Dons" around in today's society.
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DeleteI completely agree. Don's character is so different than many in today's society. Even if Don would expect something in return in the future, he made it seem as if payment for his token of kindness was unnecessary.
Delete"Be my friend, I accept"
ReplyDeleteAt this moment, it was clear that this family, Don Corleone in particular, was held in a higher esteem than any normal person would be. Bonasera essentially had to give the Don permission to corrupt his life, by offering him a false friendship. In any normal situation, I feel as if this would not have occurred, especially in such a moment of despair.
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ReplyDeleteThis surprised me to and made me like Don's character more. He definitely values friendship and relationships a whole lot more than anything in life. Which is also part of his way of business. A very smart man indeed.
DeleteYes, I agree with you. This day and age people value money more than friendship and are willing to betray their friends for it.
ReplyDeletewhen Bonasera comes to the Don for help with what happened to his daughter. Don tells him “why do you fear to give your allegiance to me?” “You go to the law courts and wait for months. You spend money on lawyers who know full well you are to be made a fool of. You accept judgment from a judge who sells himself like the worst whore in the streets.”
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ReplyDeleteOne phrase that stood out to me was "made your bones." At first I thought it to be something strange and ominous to say, but later understood it meant something like earning your respect in the family. I believe respect is something that really is earned in the Corleone family and is regarded as one of the most important ideals.
ReplyDelete"Bene, Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Don Corleone, all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket, like so many nickels and dimes."
ReplyDeleteSollozzo says this to Don Corleone. This amazes me because every single thing asked is a huge thing to ask for on its own. To just ask one person for ALL of these things is just out of the ordinary. To even ask someone for these things is out of the ordinary, honestly.