Choose a MINOR DETAIL in the book that attracted your attention, and explain the reasons of your choice.
It could be something that offended you, or hurt your sensibility, or made you laugh, or made you think.
Or maybe a line of dialogue worth quoting. Or a particularly well written (or poorly written) paragraph.
The possibilities are infinite.
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---- REPLY ALSO to any other comment by classmates.
In total you must have two REPLIES and one COMMENT.
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" This line stood out to be the most so far because it showed how confident the Don was in getting what he wants. He will plan it like a business deal but threaten the person if it comes to it.
ReplyDeleteYes it showed how truly powerful he was. How he is some sense a god and a father to those around him. How he looked out for those who were connected to him with the power of a god. A merciful and violent god who used his power wisely and with calculation.
DeleteDon Corleone was indeed, a man of great power. He always had his connections and ways of fulfilling his tasks. I enjoy reading the way he operates in business and with friends.
DeleteTo me this line may sound like an offer, but it's really life or death in every scenario. If you refuse the Don's offer you will die. He may take steps in killing other's around you, but ultimately if the refusal continues it will end in the death of the man who refused his initial offer.
DeleteI completely agree with you Hamadi, he literally is giving you an offer you can't refuse because it will mean death if you do. The Don will get what ever he wants and the only difference is whether or not you get to stay alive.
DeleteI completely agree with Hamadi in what is being stated. Don't refuse the Don's offer, because you will most likely end up dead and wishing you had accepted.
DeleteOne minor detail I liked about the book was how much Peter Clemenza loved his Cadillac. How it was a symbol of how he had made it in American. His father had donkey's but his immigrant son had propelled upward in society in terms of power and wealth. To me it kind of said, in some way crime does pay a bit.
ReplyDeleteThis didn't even run through my mind! His Cadillac was blue right? He did shine it and make sure that it was perfect. Maybe, he was just a car lover. :)
Deletethat's a great point ,I didn't think his Cadillac was of any importance ..but after reading what you said I believe that it shows that there's perks to being in the mafia. You get respect ,money ,power of others and that's something a lot of people want when they travel to a new place.
DeleteI thought that his love for his Cadillac made a lot of sense considering he does do whatever it takes to make the kind of money he makes so, why not love it? This shows me that it's so easy to get material things with mafia money but, is it worth it considering the risks involved?
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ReplyDeleteOne minor detail that attracted my attention was to read how Luca Brasi was the only one who seemed to get Don Corleone nervous. Don Corleone greeted Brasi "as a king greets a subject.. but with regal respect.. with every gesture, with every word.." This made Corleone seem a little less important in that specific scene, and it definitely made me think that Corleone made an extra effort with making sure some people know how much he respects them.
ReplyDeleteYes I love loved Luca, as they said he was in league all by himself. He was a one man army. Fearless and loyal. A true friend who would stop nothing to settle a score. Was very upset when he was killed.
DeleteLuca seemed to be the only one so far in the book to intimidate Don Corleone. It's more of an indirect intimidation but it's obvious in the level of respect he shows to Luca upon meeting with him at his daughters wedding. He doesn't truly believe Luca would betray him, but just the thought of being opposed by a man with such power makes him more courteous towards him. By being more courteous he helps to rule out that possibility.
DeleteLuca's mystery as a man I think is what creates the character. His past is never really explained and his calm demeanor and lack of real emotion creates that ambiance.
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Deletethat's surprised me also but it shows me that no matter how much power you think you might have,there's always that fear of failure or in that case death. He knew Luca Brasi could overtake him so he made sure to always help him and keep him close.
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ReplyDeleteThe fact that the Don had Woltz' prize horse Khartoum decapitated let's me know how powerful he is. Woltz was on the other side of the country and his power was respected over that distance. The horse was guarded 24 hours a day, but for some reason the guards didn't do anything to stop the decapitation. Just as Woltz began to recognize I too began to recognize. At first I thought he would let Johnny down, but now I can see no matter what the Don will get the job done.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mention that. Don's connections and power reached that far across the country and in such a short amount of time he was able to arrange something so extreme.
DeleteWhen I read that part I must admit I was shocked. Even though the Don said he wouldn't let Johnny down I thought he would too. But I knew he wouldn't have given up on Woltz that easily but I didn't think the Don could pull off decapitating the horse, which wasn't even in his "jurisdiction" of power.
DeleteMy first thought when the whole horse scenario occurred was that those who were protecting the horse, 24/7, were probably bribed off by Corleone's people to allow this atrocity to happen.
DeleteBy the Don doing this, it reminded Woltz that he was not more powerful than the Don. It was exactly what Woltz needed to be put back in his place. This detail also shows us how powerful the Don is and how many people he has working for him that will do whatever he asks.
DeleteAn interesting point to me is all of the mafia terms. Such as "make his bones" and "hit the mattresses." I just find these references to be entertaining and how these came to be the terms to mean "earn respect" and "run away."
ReplyDeleteI too have noticed the mafia terms, and I am glad they aren't using regular everyday terms because I feel as it has more emphasis when they say "make his bones"
DeleteI agree I love the lingo and I really love that they incorporate Italian words into the writing. They bring more emphasize to what is being said and it leaves an impression.
DeleteI love this lingo because it dramatizes the point they're trying to get across just like the slang we use today. Saying something straight would not be as frightening as saying it in dramatized lingo. It also feeds into their personalities. Using the lingo they use shows their dominance and also the fact that their culture hasn't disappeared even though they are no longer living in Italy.
DeleteA minor detail that stood out to me was when the Don was speaking to Sollozzo and Sonny speaks out. The look in Sollozzo's eyes in seeing that he may be able to get to Sonny to make a deal really stood out to me. It was interesting to see just how much these men are sharks and don't really care about each other. They're business men who are willing attack at any opportunity.
ReplyDeleteIt really surprised me how when Don Corleone's wife finds out about her husband being shot five times, she's relatively calm. As though she had been expecting this day. This is actually the first thing she says when her son mentions the fact that something is wrong, and that the something involves her father.
ReplyDeletehis father*
DeleteSomehow the Don's wife not being surprised that her husband has been shot multiple times and may die did not come as a shock to me. I felt as though it was expected of her to act this way because by being his wife, she understands the danger he faces every day and she must of been prepared for this moment for years.
DeleteI found the scene between Sonny and Lucy at the wedding to be really entertaining. It was written very maturely given that the two of them are not very mature in this situation. I find the scene where they sneak away to be funny because Lucy knows exactly who Sonny is and knows he doesn't mean anything serious by them having this moment together but, she goes through with it anyway willingly and eagerly. I also thought it was well written because it was descriptive enough to get across what they were doing without being too graphic.
ReplyDeleteA minor detail that grabbed my attention was when Michael goes to see his father in the hospital and his father wants to tell him, "Why should I be afraid now? Strange men have come to kill me ever since I was twelve years old.". Even though we know how much power the Don has, by him saying this we now know how long he has been involved with the mafia and how at this point he fears nothing and no one.
ReplyDeleteA detail that grabbed my attention was the order the Don had put out on Woltz's most prized horse, Khartoum. He ordered the decapitation of the horse in order to exhibit his power and send a message. Woltz was very attached to the horse so to go this extent to send a message really depicts the brutality one could inflict if you weren't on the same page.
ReplyDeleteA minor detail that grabbed my attention was at the hotel when Michael was getting the key and told Kay to read a newspaper,. This is when they discovered that his father had been shot. He told Kay to go up to the room but she didn't listen and he had to take her by the arm and ride the elevator with her in order for her to go. Kay is not just going to do what Michael tells her to do, this shows that she is curious and not afraid. She can tell by Michaels reaction to the death and she is catching on to more
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