The Role of Power and Corruption in The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1969)

Expanding the Roles:
The Godfather by Mario Puzo is a novel about the Corleone family, a powerful mafia dynasty, and their struggle to maintain control and power in the criminal world. The novel explores themes of power, loyalty, and corruption, as Michael Corleone navigates his reluctant involvement in the family business. For literature students, The Godfather provides a compelling look at the complexities of power, morality, and family loyalty in the world of organized crime.

• Power and the Corruption of Morality:
  The Corleone family’s power is built on violence, manipulation, and corruption. Students can explore how Puzo uses the dynamics of the mafia family to examine the corrupting influence of power and how the characters justify their immoral actions.

• Loyalty, Family, and Honor:
  The theme of loyalty is central to the novel, particularly in relation to family. Literature students can analyze how Puzo portrays the conflict between familial loyalty and personal morality, especially as Michael Corleone becomes more deeply involved in the family’s criminal activities.

What We Learn:
The Godfather offers literature students a critical examination of power, corruption, and family loyalty. The novel provides valuable insights into how power can corrupt moral values and the complexities of familial ties in the context of crime.