"The Godfather", the core conflict is revealed almost immediately through "The Shooting of Don Corleone". The Don presents this conflict with his refusal to participate in the drug business, the conflict of man vs. society. This decision will cause a snowball effect of future conflicts. The first sparks off a war within the five major crime families, which will last for years costing many lives. It will develop into a conflict between father and son; Sonny will reflect the conflict of divergent ideas against his father Vito because he is for the drug business. Michael's conflict is the classic man vs. himself. It is the conflict that lies within a person's mind, when the conscience is at war with desire.

The conflict unfolds directly through a decision made by the Godfather, Don Corleone. Corleone and Hagen meet with the Tattaglia crime family to discuss future criminal enterprises specifically the drug business, which is the wave of the future. The day before the meeting, Hagen and Sonny speak well of the upcoming deal, yet Don Corleone shows his displeasure f

The reader knows that this is a story with the themes of violence, power, greed and crime, which have been supported by each character's response to his conflict. The Don's refusal to join the drug business was a decision based on "family" responsibility. Sonny's interest in drugs was fueled by greed and Michael's will be driven by revenge. It was a series of conflicts all building up to a devastating, definitive conclusion that will show us a tragic view of life. The reader can predict that Michael Corleone who claimed to be different from the rest of the family would become more ruthless than Don Vito ever was.

or the drug business: "But it could be dangerous. Some people could wind up in jail for twenty years. I'd say that if we kept out of the operations end, just stick to protection and financing, it might be a good idea." (421). For Corleone, whose prime specialty is gambling, the introduction of heroin into their "family" business is threatening. So, as an old-school Mafia leader, Don Corleone refuses to join because it may spoil or jeopardize his smooth relations between the "families" and his powerful political contacts. He is content with the usual business of gambling, prostitution and protection rackets. He responds:

"VITO CORLEONE SHOT. ALLEGED RACKET CHIEF CRITICALLY WOUNDED. OPERATED ON UNDER HEAVY POLICE GUAR

Some common words found in the essay are:
Don Corleone, Sonny Michael, Corleone Don, Sollozzo Tattaglia, Corleone Hagen, Unfortunately Don's, Don Vito's, , Michael Corleone's, drug business, Puzo's Godfather, don corleone, family business, join drug, join drug business, don's refusal,
Approximate Word count = 906
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)