Evolution of Michael Corleone from the Godfather

A detailed Summary of Evolution of Michael Corleone from the Godfather

The Evolution of Don Michael Corleone

The evolution of Michael Corleone stands out in the motion picture, The Godfather. In the beginning of the film, Michael openly states his absence in the family's illegitimate business affairs. The end of the film reveals Michael has undergone various changes and became the head of the family, completely contradicting the impression he'd given the audience at the start of the picture.

Michael, the soft spoken, youngest son of Don Vito Corleone chose at an early age not to be involved in the family's Mafia businesses. He went to college and joined the Marine Corp. At the age of 21, he returned after an honorable discharge from an injury he had received during World War II. Still avoiding the family affairs, he introduced his family to his girlfriend, Kay Adams, a non-Italian pure American girl, while at the wedding reception of his sister Constanza (Connie).

While conversing with Kay at the reception, he explained a story about his father and guardsmen. His father wanted a man to sign off a famous singer, Johnny Fontane, from the binds of a strict contract, in exchange for a large sum of money. The man refused. Kay asked how Michael's father got the man to release Johnny from th

The last scene of the film, the most powerful scene of the entire movie is the last few frames of the picture. Michael completely changed from the beginning of the film and even Vito's most trusted men have conformed to that adjustment. The last scene is Michael, sitting on his desk with his body guards around him. Peter Clemenza addressed him as "Don Michael" and kissed his hand, the ultimate sign of submission and respect. His sitting position would remind an audience member of one with power and grace, one who held within their power the right to other people's lives and deaths, arrogantly arched with one hand on his hip the other outstretched to receive proper respects from his trusted men.

The transformation is even visible in his clothing. While dressed in a suit and long trench coat, he asks Kay to marry him. She accepts, it seems, reluctantly. He explained that he works for his father and the business will all be legitimate within five years. Kay does not look convinced.

Who Michael killed stood higly significant in the story. The city's police captain directly involved himself in the attempt on Michael's father and this murder held high risk to the family's business and reputation. When the viewers witness Michael being taught how to hold, shoot and drop the gun after its fired, and finally killing the police captain, McClusky and his boss, Bruno Tattaglia, the audience realizes there is no turning back for Michael to his past life. He is now an active participating member of the Corleone family's organized crime reign.

Five years later, when Michael finally returned to America, his status in the family obv

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Approximate Word count = 1114
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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