1. Italian Culture
Davies in Italian Customs states that in Italy, the family is the centre of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its members. The family
provides both emotional and financial support to its members. We can also see the relationship among the Corleone Family members is so close and deep. One of the
reasons is that they still hold Italian family values as their guidance. Each member of the Corleone Family supports and helps whenever one of them is in a difficult
situation. One day Constanzia Corleone is beaten up by her husband Carlo Rizzi. After Santino is told by Constanzia about the beating, he is so angry because if
one dares to beat a Corleone, then one also dares to get punished. He feels disrespected by Carlo’s lack of manner. As Constanzia is pregnant and it hurts
Santino’s feeling as a brother. There was no question that the violence in Sonny Corleone’s nature rose
from some deep mysterious physical well. As they watched they could actually see the blood rushing to his heavily corded neck, could see the eyes
film with hatred, the separate features of his face tightening, growing pinched, then his face took on the grayish hue of a sick man fighting off
some sort of death, except that the adrenalin pumping through his body made his hands tremble. But his voice was controlled, pitched low, as he
told his sister, “You wait there. You just wait there.” He hung up the phone Puzo 264.
Love in the Corleone Family is also showed when Don Vito Corleone is
shot and hospitalized. When his son Michael Corleone visits him, there is no one who guards him. Michael feels disappointed with this situation. His father is left
alone in the room and everyone can kill him easily. So Michael moves his father into another room in case the enemies will kill the old man. When Don Vito is
moved into another room, he wakes up and looks at Michael. He feels happy of his dearest son’s presence to save him.
Michael leaned over the bed. He took his father’s hand in his. “It’s Mike,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Now listen, don’t make any noise at all, especially
if somebody calls out your name. Some people want to kill you, understand? But I’m here so don’t be afraid.” Puzo 123.
Davies’ Italian Customs states that Italians respect and defer to those who are older, those who have achieved a level of business success and those who
come from well-connected families. It is described the family respects Don Vito Corleone because he is the one who establishes and maintains the family. He is
the old man who is successful in a level of life. He is the man who helps a lot of people. The sadness of the possibility of losing Don Vito happens when Tom
Hagen is told that Don Vito is shot dead. Tom Hagen is surprised and shocked knowing the man that he respects a lot has died. It makes Tom Hagen speechless.
“Your boss is dead,” Sollozzo said. He paused, surprised at the tears that sprang to Hagen’s eyes. Then he went on. “We got him outside his office, in
the street. As soon as I got the word, I picked you up. You have to make the peace between me and Sonny.” Hagen didn’t answer. He was surprised at
his own grief. And the feeling of desolation mixed with his fear of death... Puzo 85.
What makes people respect Don Vito Corleone is that he always helps the unfortunate people that come to him. He never makes empty promises and will do
as best as he can to those who proclaim their friendship to him. He is also the one who rules the family. His powerful position in society and added with his wealth
make people respect Don Vito Corleone and consequently people will be loyal to him.
2. Don Vito Corleone as A Man of Respect
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