Geneva Week 4: Literary Feature Hunt

The Cat
Why is there a cat in the beginning of the film The Godfather? I believe that there is significance in the presence of the cat that single time. Furthermore, the Cat does not show up again after that one frame with Don Vito in the first few minutes of the movie. Attention is highly drawn to the cat because Don Vito is also fidgeting and playing around with the cat at the same time.
"They also kept cats around as a means of spiritual protection. In Puritan religion cats symbolized dark and demonic forces and were associated with the devil. Cats are often compared to femininity and womanhood. They are associated with intuition as well.Cats are also known to have the ability to transmute human discomfort or malevolent spiritual energies into a more benign force. " Cats can symbolize a lot of things, but it is evident that they represent the events to follow throughout the movie.
It could represent the following moments of spiritual protection, which could symbolize Don Vito's power and maybe his survival after the "five shots" (Coppola).

The Five Shots
I thought that the specific choice of the five shots was innherently interesting. Each shot could possibly represent one of the five families:

• Corleone Family (residing in Little Italy)
• Barzini Family (residing in Midtown)
• Tattaglia Family (residing in Brooklyn)
• Stracci Family (residing in New Jersey)
• Cuneo Family (residing in Hell's Kitchen)

"According to the Bible, it is the symbol of the Man-God by the five wounds of the Christ on cross (for this reason, it is also considered as the number of the grace)." (http://www.ridingthebeast.com/numbers/nu5.php)

Interestingly enough, Don Vito got shot five times=sort of like Jesus, and their religion is Catholic so that might be a wierd religious tie.

Geneva

Geneeva Week 4: The Human Condition

The power of love makes fools of us all. Both texts, The Twelfth Night and The Godfather Part I, illuminate power through three main literary features: characterization, foils and camera angles. The characterization of men with siginificant amounts of power forces the audience to ponder: does power make it easier for characters to manipulate others, or does it make it easier for the characters with power to be manipulated? Duke Orsino (a man of power in Twelfth Night) and Don Vito Corleone (a man of power in The Godfather Part I) both resemble positions of power through there characterization. Olivia and Viola are both high status women and self sufficient. These characters are fairly similar; however, extremely different. Viola is disguised as a man, Olivia is one of Illyria's most beautiful women. Differences between them highlight the theme of power and the powerful qualities that these women have or do not have. Vito Corleone's power is highly significant. Francis Ford Coppola's intentional use of camera angles illuminate the power. Portions of the movie are seen through the eyes of power, looking over the shoulder. These examples bring us to question if power makes people fools or if fools are given people power.

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Geneva Week 4: Archetypes

I have just made a flurry of comments on the Monomyth wiki that pretty much map out what my perspective of Michael's Hero's Journey.
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Geneva Week 4: Class Act

The Hero

"You like the things you do because maybe you are hardwired to do that"-Mr. McGuigan

The theme of Heroes cam up in our Grade 10 year multiple times. This motif has run through the path that the Hero follows. This connection has really had a purpose of connection during our "rebellious teen years". As Joseph Campbell stated, its highly likely that each person is running through their own Hero/Heroine archetype.

People in general run into conflicts all the time, sometimes there are people who love creating conflicts because it "keeps life interesting". These different human characteristics provide and illuminate the hero's journey that exists within our existence. We live and continue with our lives, but the combination of the different types of people provides the different experiences of the Hero's Journey.
Francis Ford Coppola highlights the Hero's Journey through more than one character. The initial and most obvious is Michael Corleone. But there are others, The Godfather just highlights the different moments in each character's life. Vito and Santino Corleone are observed at the near end of their own Hero's Journey. Connie and Fredo are observed at the beginning, not yet the moments where they reach the call to action. Mama Corleone monitored silently and from afar. By example of her family, Mama Corleone's achievements, call to action, journey into the belly of the Whale and her return are highlighted in her past. We only see the ending of her Hero's Journey in The Godfather Part I.

Geneva

Geneva Week 3: Archetypes

The Journey of a Hero

Look at Classical and mythological allusions which reference the ideas that highlight significant events.
Are some things better than others? Yes
If some things are better than others there must be a best thing? Yes it is possible
What is the best something possible? Largest? Most Powerful? All knowing? God
Is it better for God to exist or not to exist? Depends
Take both things, is it better for gods to exist or not to exist? To exist
Therefore, if we believe that god is the best thing, then he must exist. Joseph Campbell takes it one step further. Everyone is on their own hero's journey. You may not know it but you are. You are the creator of every relationship with other people it must be of bliss and respect. All of us must be the creator. If this god is everywhere, then logically anyone and everyone is god. Myths explain our culture and our history.
This is just stuff that we used to stimulate our 'hero'. Maybe this lives inside us and thats why people keep on telling ust to remain confident and with tones of positive charisma. Maybe believing in a god keeps us in the positive realm. This sort of ability to continue reminds me of The Secret. The ideas are vaguely similar.

Geneva

Geneva Week 3: Literary Feature Hunt

The Blender

"TOM

Uh maybe we shouldn't get Mike uh mixed up in this too directly 

SONNY

Yeah, listen, uh... hang around the house on the phone an' be a big help, huh?" (Coppola)

These statements are an exact yin and yang and they juxtapose each other quite nicely. Both statements highlight the balance of both Sonny and Tom. It was Don Vito's intent to make Tom consigliere when Sonny became Don Santino, because they both balance each other like yin and yang. This juxtaposition of the two characters blend together Coppola's specific attention to literary features. Tom's tendency to keep Sonny in check and Sonny's tendency to use force to get his way (which is the mafia way rather than the lawyer way) highlight the opposites in each other yet they are similar because they both have roles of power. Because of this, they are foils for each other because they are similar to Don Vito and almost brothers. Santino found Tom and he was adopted into the family because of Sonny. Evidently, they grew up together as friends and keep each other in check but also display obvious and important qualities to both characters. 

Geneva

Geneva Week 3: The Human Condition

The Guardian

"Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun: it shines everywhere." (3.1.36-37) It is highly unlikely that the Fool in Shakespeare's the Twelfth Night would be the overseer of the story. However, it is also evident that Feste knows all and retorts all with his incredible wit. Not only does this flat character highlight the faults with proud and 'top of the food chain' characters (Such as Duke Orsino and Olivia), but he also illuminates the most significant parts of the story by aiding transitions. For example, his discussion in Act 3, Scene 1 with Viola only highlights her better qualities by putting forward examples of her wit in comparison to Feste. 

So what does this have to do with The Godfather you might ask? 

Well, in fact, Francis Ford Coppola's close attention to Literary Features has highlighted one of the main characters as a flat character amongst a flurry of round and dynamic characters. The director shows similar outsider qualities and wit with words to the role of Feste in The Twelfth Night. Tom Hagen is the overseer in the Godfather. Not only does this character illuminate faults with other 'top of the food chain' characters (such as Santino and Carlo) but he also uses his words rather than actions, just like Feste. 

Both outsiders, and both flat characters these relatively similar and important highlighters illuminate the stronger qualities of others by remaining in the 'shadows' of the story and knowing the entirety of the story. These characters seem to step back from the story and somehow take part as the role of god, advising people at some moments and watching people in others. Feste only watches as Orsino and Viola/Cesario have the bathing scene in Act 2 Scene 4 and Feste is singing the song that Orsino likes. Tom only watches as Don Vito controls the family business and uses his 'owed favors' as pawns in his mafia game. Feste advises Olivia to meet with Cesario who was really Sebastian and they end up running away and getting married. Tom advises "Sollozzo's the key. You get rid of him, every falls into line. Now what about Luca? Sollozzo didn't seem to be worried about Luca..." (Coppola) this to Santino after Vito get shot. 

Geneva

Geneva Week 2: Hero's Journey

The Cop

Good Cop or Bad Cop?

Michael Corleone encounters multiple obstacles until he finally faces the climax that makes him "go into the belly of the beast". The scene where Constable McClusky and Sollozo meet with Michael for a dinner of discussion, Michael has officially crossed his line from the American Golden Boy soldier to the future Don Corleone. It was interesting to see how the good boy on the right side of the law was juxtaposed by the 'bad boy' side of his family, where he had to make the big decision and change for the sake of his family. The Corleone Mafia legacy is an example of the good versus bad perspective.

Good Versus Bad

Holy Versus Evil

Hero Versus Villain

These comparisons are certainly theme pairings have reoccured in more than one place in The Godfather. The final moments of the movie where Michael is asked "Do you renounce Satan?" (Coppola) at his godson's baptism and he states yes; however, he has just sent out hit men to kill his frenemies and later on murders his godson and nephew's father.

These actions seem pretty bad, but not as bad as a corrupt government. A country should remain by its principals and the government and the police are there to enforce that. McClusky and all the senators and politicians that were bought out by the Corleone family are surefire examples of how corrupt the society is, which is why the Corleones had taken it upon their duty to make things 'right' and 'just'. McClusky was a drug (narcotics) dealer and he was a cop= to the public, he was the 'good guy' at first glance because of his status and role.

Does the hierarchy announce what is good?

Geneva

Geneva Week 2: Archetypes

What are women in the story of the Godfather? They are seen as side notes, "what's the matter with you Carlo?"(Coppolis, Connie Corleone). "shut up" (Coppola, Carlo). The women make the food, the women still take care of all the household chores. "shut up Connie... Dont you ever tell her to shut up". Women just dont interfere.

Michael is courteous towards women, his meeting of them is very traditional and noble, women are in front and Men are behind.

Santino is cheating on his wife and completely treats women like a resource.

Are women a highlight of Michael and Sonny. Is Michael really that removed from Mafia life?

The final scene is representation of women's roles, where Kay sees the final look at Michael and Clamenza says to him "Don Corleone..." (Coppola), looking from the outside towards the inner workings of the men-run society. By man-run society, i mean the way that men are represented as the bread winner of the family, where as the women are the caretaker. This is extremely evident in The Godfather when Carlo begins to beat his pregnant wife Connie. The purpose of her beating was because she talked to Carlo's mistress. Women are just expected to obey to their man's ever wish and equality and self confidence played a big part in women's lives as they became more independent in history. Perhaps dominance by the man is a system that women have come to rely on (like Connie Corleone); however, we are entitled to the same rights as men. From this, we can assume women are used in The Godfather to juxtapose the purpose of men and in light of women's power over men . Are women (more specifically wives) the spectators or the purpose for corruption in The Godfather? "What is the interests for my family?" (Coppola)

"The Hero is the man of self achieved submission." Key word: The MAN.

Geneva

Geneva Week 2: Literary Feature Hunt

The Car and The Colour
The first time that we see Kay, after Apollonia dies, there is a ruined car right next to her. This is after Apollonia's extreme incident with the car wreck and this is definitely an example of foreshadowing Death or at least danger. Kay's outfits again represent her ability to connect with the family, after she meets with Michael after his escapade to Sicily, she constantly wears blue or earthy tones, rather than the previously reoccurent colour red. Kay's specific motif of clothing as a foreshadowing feature is interesting because it fits the cliche that men believe women are.
Clothing is a common representation of women, and in The Godfather clothing is represented as a foreshadow tool. As Michael's women appear, we begin to see how their outfits reflect different stages in the film. Colours and definitions follow:

• Red:(Seductive, Blood, Love, War, Danger)
• Scarlet (Lilith the Original Scarlet Woman, divine power)
• Brown (Neutral, natural, Earth, Wood)
• White:(Purity, cleanliness, innocence) East: colour of mourning and funerals)
• Blue: (Friendly, strong, steadfast,Pantone has selected the color Blue Iris (PANTONE 18-3943) as the 2008 Color of the Year telling us: "Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement." Pasted from <http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/colorselection/p/blue.html

Geneva

Geneva Week 2: Class Act

Today, on Monday May 11, 2009 we received our English Persepolis Unit tests back. I think that it was a lot of criticism about the things that we have to do for our exam essays. So we really focused on circular paragraphs. This included a complete flush of our ideas instead of jumping from idea to idea. It was interesting to seehow other people interpret their comments, because many of us have the same problem or similar yet we don't go to each other to learn how to fix them. I think that the group effort will be very important in the DP program because the support and further feedback is important to show improvement.

Parts to Writing: (Requirements for the final exam essay question)


Point>Support with...
Example>Quotation needs...
Explanation> evaluation
"This example is particularly effective because..."

-If you start with information you have no where to go
Start with an argument, it will help to be analytical
Attach the detail after.

Geneva

Geneva Week One: The Human Condition

The Theme
Within the Godfather (or up to from what we have seen), there are multiple displays of similar storylines that have been created or illuminated in past texts. Themes of nobility, love and desire have been popular literary discussion triggers in our novels studied in the past. This is evident through the representations of love, desire and nobility in Twelfth Night, where Duke Orsino is victim to his grasps of love, and is captivated by his emotions and overwhelmed by his desire for Olivia and “all I need” (1.1) mentality. Is this man’s human nature or is he just so arrogant that he has to constantly be “in the middle of [the] picture” (1.1) all the time?
Shakespeare’s display of a comedic romance is a genius and captivating storyline that could be known as one of the ‘birth places’ for our current plots today. The obscurity and the content of mismatched characters and lost protagonists is directly a result of the past works that have made success. The Godfather is a work of success because it follows along the guidelines that have generated success over the past centuries of storytelling. The similar style of raw humour and understated plot thickening moments, set the perfect stage for an expected unexpected performance.

Geneva

Geneva Week 1: Class Act

The Fruit

Before the Don is shot, he is at a Chinese market buying fruit
"The orange is a prayer or wish for good fortune. That is why it is probably the most common food offering. As a harbinger of wishes for good luck, they are often eaten on the second day of the New Year. Why not the first, because once an Emperor distributed oranges to his officials on the second day of the New Year. Thus you are also wishing for officialdom if you eat them on this day.
The mandarin and other fruits in the citrus family have other interesting roles. For instance, after her wedding, the bride is given two of these fruits by her new in-laws. She is to peel them the evening of the nuptials and share them with her husband. These two fruits are symbolizing a family wish that the bride and groom share a happy and full life together. Also, the name of the mandarin in Cantonese also means gold, clearly a dual wish here adding hopes for a life loaded with prosperity."
This moment links to archetypes. The specific description of this event and how the story built up to this significant moment, was constructed into an 'epic journey' event. The Don's death scare was the controversy that built the moment for Michael to promise and
Pasted from <http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=27>

Fruit is very vital to the story because it represents the riches of the people.

More Later...
Geneva

Week One: Literary Feature Hunt

The Fish
While walking into the bar, Luca Brasi sees fish in the window. As well, while he is talking with the opposing family, as a job directed by the Don. the fish are staring at him (fish models are faced towards his direction). Furthermore, the package that is sent to the Corleone family as a representation of Luca Brasi's death, is a dead fish. "Luca Brasi now sleeps with the fishes" (baddd grammar!)
There may be more to this symbolism as it also represents Christianity.

Geneva

Student comments

I was intrigued by the comments made by David. He compared Michael and Malvolio from Twelfth Night together. They are both seen as the Dark Prince archetype reluctant hero. Both characters are outsiders, and both of them rise to the occasion that they fear the most.
Malvolio is scared of falling in love and getting hurt emotionally. Michael is scared of becoming a part of his family, the family that he has to overcome his fear of becomming apart of his murderous family and leaving his solitude of outside knowledge. Because he doesn't know the things that his family does, he may possilbly feel more content with his family's actions. He knows that they pursue the 'wrong moralled' way of life, but he evidenly denies that option.

Kudos to David!

Geneva