Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Godfather Part 1: Literary Feature Hunt

I have not been able to catch up on "The Godfather: Part 1" yet so I this post will be short. I will add to it once I have caught up.

Juxtaposition is one literary feature that I have been able to find in the movie. The example of this is near the beginning of the movie. The setting was very dark and had a chilling atmosphere. Don Corleone was seen in a meeting with another man. The room was dimly lit and the shadows on the people gave the setting the sinister feeling. When the meeting ended, the scene suddenly changed to a wedding party. It caused a lot of the viewers to 'jump in their seats' because of the sudden, loud music. This comparison allows the viewer to see Don Corleone's dangerous side and his 'normal' side.

The Godfather Part 1: Archetype

So far, there is one archetype that is clearly visible. In the "Hero's Journey" by Joseph Campbell, Joseph Campbell stated that in mythology, if one has a companion, the friend will stay with the main character throughout the story and help out wherever possible. In the "The Godfather Part 1", Don Corleone has many companions or people he could trust. He is always consulting with them and depending on his followers to carry out his orders.