Text Connections

Text Connections

Since published in 1969, plot lines from The Godfather have been emulated countless times. References are nearly omnipresent; they appear in literature and all over popular culture, ranging widely from The Sony and Cher Comedy Hour to the sequel of the animated children’s film, The Rugrats. In particular, the line spoken by Don Corleone on the thirty-ninth page of the novel is arguably the most popular: “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” The horse head scene is a close second, comically referenced in such public venues as a SuperBowl commercial for an Audi car dealership.

Since I obviously do not involve myself in much mafia business in daily life, I connected the text of the novel primarily to fictional stories and films. Many crime novels, like Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, or the more recent No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, share similar settings and conflicts.

Another connection that I made was to the documentary television series Gangland, which airs both on the History Channel and on the cable channel, ‘Spike.’ Currently in its seventh season, the program outlines the history of notorious and dangerous leaders in organized crime.

In addition, there was a self-help book published by Tony Serri, It's Not Personal, It's Strictly Business:The Godfather way of Surviving, Conniving and Thriving in Corporate America. The author says of his work, “[it] applies the Corleone's methods to practical real-life examples. It's kind of hilarious how well it works in a corporate setting. Most corporate dwellers have no answer for someone like Vito or Michael. You can run circles around them.” This book is tangible evidence of the Godfather’s lasting influence. Though in the novel his oil importing business was just a front for organized crime, it cannot be claimed that Don Corleone was any less than an extremely talented and knowledgeable businessman.