REFLECTING ON THE GODFATHER Directions: Pick one of the following prompts about Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather and write a two page, single spaced response (750-1,000 words). Provide specific examples from both the film and US history in your response. Please be sure to upload your response to turnitin when you are finished.

1. ItcanbearguedthattheactionsoftheCorleonefamilyareanalogoustoactionsoftheUnitedStatesasitwentfromasmallnationwithpotentialforgrowthinthe19thcenturytoaworldpowerinthe20thcentury.Explorethisargumentbydrawingcomparisonsbetweenthefilm’splotandcharactersandtheactionsoftheUnitedStatesinthe19thand20thcenturies.

2. AmajorelementoftheplotinthefilmTheGodfatherisMichael’sdecisiontojointhefamily’sbusiness.Washisdecisionthecorrectone?SupportyourassertionbydrawingacomparisonwithanactiontakenbytheUnitedStateswithsimilarinternalconflictsandexternalconsequences.

3. Writearesponsetothefilmthatbeginswith,“ThelearninginAPU.S.Historyjustneverstops!Forexample,wewatchedthe1972movieTheGodfatherinclass.IlearnedthatAFIrankeditasthesecond-bestfilmofalltime(afterCitizenKane).But,Ialsolearnedalotmore,forexample...”

KEY CHARACTERS IN THE GODFATHER

Head of the Corleone Family and founder of the Corleone Crime Syndicate

Don Vito Corleone Vito's children:

Santino

known as "Sonny" Fredo Tom Hagen

(adopted) Michael Connie

Key Members of the Corleone Crime Syndicate:

Peter Clemenza Sal Tessio Luca Brasi

Significant Associates:

Carlo (Connie's husband)

Johnny Fontane Kay Apollonia Moe Greene

Other Major Characters:

Barzini Sollozzo "The Turk" Tattaglia Cpt. McCluskey