The Role of Violence in The Godfather: How Power and Control Are Achieved Through Brutality

Violence is an ever-present theme in The Godfather, serving as the primary tool through which power and control are established and maintained within the Corleone family. Mario Puzo presents a brutal world where violence is not only accepted but expected, and the use of force becomes essential to survival in the mafia world. The novel explores the impact of violence on both the individuals who perpetrate it and the victims who endure it, showing how it ultimately becomes a cyclical force that perpetuates itself.

Vito Corleone, the head of the Corleone family, is a shrewd leader who understands that violence is an essential part of maintaining control. His rise to power was built on his ability to make deals and use force when necessary. Vito’s violence is often portrayed as calculated, even justified—he makes his enemies “an offer they can’t refuse,” using fear and intimidation to secure his position. However, while Vito may seem to wield violence with purpose and restraint, the effect of his actions ripples throughout the novel, influencing future generations and exacerbating the cycle of brutality.

Michael Corleone’s transformation is particularly notable in the context of violence. Initially, Michael tries to distance himself from the family business, preferring to live a peaceful life away from the mafia world. But after the attack on his father, Michael is drawn into the world of violence. His first act of violence—killing Sollozzo and a corrupt police officer—marks his entry into the mafia business, and from there, his use of violence grows increasingly ruthless. Michael’s rise to power is built on his ability to use force strategically, but his moral decline is also rooted in his acceptance of violence as a solution to problems.

Violence in The Godfather is not just a means of survival, but also a way to enforce loyalty and control within the family. The Corleones’ power relies on their ability to dominate rivals and intimidate others into submission. The brutal killings and retaliatory violence that punctuate the story are not simply physical acts but psychological ones, ensuring that the family remains untouchable.

In conclusion, violence in The Godfather is depicted as a necessary, though destructive, tool for achieving power and maintaining control. Through the characters of Vito and Michael Corleone, Puzo illustrates how violence perpetuates a cycle of power, revenge, and moral corruption that ultimately consumes both the individuals who wield it and the society in which it operates.