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WRITING:
Gardaphe' "Italian
American Writers." One paragraph (yes, decent size
too.)
======================= * At least
one paragraph: are there parts of the Godfather that you think are unnecessary,
i.e. don't really add much to the overall story? Yes/No, why? * At least one
paragraph: what did you learn from the discussion in class last Wed? * At least
one paragraph: Compare the Godfather Film and novel: what differences did you notice and which version
did you like better? * ALWAYS STRIKE A
BALANCE BETWEEN QUANTITY AND QUALITY: IF YOU WRITE VERY LITTLE, YOU BETTER MAKE
SURE WHAT YOU WRITE IS REALLY, REALLY GOOD (As Blaise Pascal said in 1657,
"I'm sorry this letter is so long. I didn't have time to write a shorter
one.") ======================= The Godfather is divided in 9 'books.' ================================ THE GODFATHER. 1) AT LEAST one paragraph:
summarize group discussion: what common experience did you share with the other
group members. 2 ) With examples, discuss how and
when you use these reading strategies in analyzing texts. Make reference to at
least ONE FILM and ONE BOOK. As usual, don't try to write
guessing what I want to hear. Write to clarify your own thoughts about the way
your mind works. Don't rush the job, write and review. If you decide to write only a few
lines, they better be the best lines you can possibly write. At the same time
don't assume that just because you write a lot, the quality will necessary be
better. 1) MORE INCLINED TOWARD
"CLOSE 2) MORE INCLINED TOWARD FINDING
THE "BASIC METAPHOR(S)" [MAIN THEMESE, REPRESENTATION) 3) MORE INCLINED TOWARD THE
"INVISIBLE THREADS"?
THE GODFATHER 1) How does the FILM version differ from YOUR imagination as you read the book? If you were the director, what would you have done differently? Try to focus on CHARACTERS rather than the individual scenes that you would have added or eliminated. Open ended. Don't overdo it, don't underdo it. 2) ONE or TWO PARAGRAPHS, well thought-out about ONE of the following: "Every man has but one destiny" [sorry I can't find the page] p. 284-5: "He paused. None of the others spoke." p. 290: "We are all men who have refused to be fools..." p. 362-3: "The trouble is all that damn trash in the movies......" WRITING ASSIGNMENT TASK 1: The paragraphs below summarize the 'ideology' of the Corleone family and mafia in general. Are these rationalizations (a fancier name for 'excuses') or is there a kernel of truth in them? And, are the arguments sufficient to justify the violence and lawlessness of the enterprise? Choose TWO of the following passages, read them over carefully in toto. Before writing down your reactions and thoughts, think it over. The more you think about something, the more your arguments change: this does not mean that your opinion or judgment changes, but that your ARGUMENTS get better, more solid and more refined. Speech to BOSSES: 284/285 BOOK V-CHAPTER 20 " I want to thank you all for coming" he said." I consider it a service done to me personally and I am in debt of each and every one of you." ============================= Rationalizing criminal behavior: if I don't do it, someone else will: 287/288: BOOK V-CHAPTER 20 "The Don of Los Angeles, Frank Falcone, spoke to answer: "There is no way of stopping our people from going into that business. They go in on their own and they get in trouble. There is too much money to resist." ===================== 290 WE REFUSED TO BE FOOLS, PUPPETS BOOK V- CHAPTER 20 "Let me say that we must always look to our
interests. We are all men who have refused to be fools, who have refused to be
puppets dancing on a string pulled by men on high." IDEOLOGY: pag 362, Michael to Kay. (Hubris) BOOK VII-CHAPTER 25 "The trouble is all that damn trash in the movies and the newspapers" Michael said. ======================== "Kay had made the mistake of trying to be cruelly flippant, a role that which she was not suited. 'Did Michael send you up here to threaten me?' she asked."
TASK 2: Choose one CHAPTER (not BOOK) from Godfather that seems particularly WELL WRITTEN. Explain what you like in terms of style or approach (is it the psychological insight? the ability to describe in detail? the atmosphere? the mood? etc.) IDENTIFY CLEARLY THE BOOK N. and CHAPTER N. WRITING ASSIGNMENT TASK 1: Read the comments to the postings from last week and take a position about the theory of "Predestination," namely that Don Corleone was destined to be a mafia boss. If you are philosophically inclined, you may want refer to concepts such as "free will." If you lean toward psychology, maybe "rationalization" will feel more familiar.
TASK 2: The film more than the novel emphasizes in the subtext the theme of Evil, both visually and in the narration/dialogue. The genius of Puzo -- as one of you said in a blog comment -- was the ability to package evil in a the shiny logic of rational respectability and sense of honor. Do you agree with this perspective? Alternatively, taken as a political allegory, The Godfather is about the condemnation of our society and the revenge taken by one of its victims. Is this notion closer to your emotional reactions? TASK 14: before writing, you must
READ
the file "The Godfather" on the website. (TOPICAL LECTURE) 1) How does the FILM version differ from YOUR imagination as you read the book? If you were the director, what would you have done differently? Try to focus on CHARACTERS rather than the individual scenes that you would have added or eliminated. Open ended. Don't overdo it, don't underdo it.
2) ONE or TWO PARAGRAPHS, well thought-out about ONE of the following: "Every man has but one destiny" [sorry I can't find the page] p. 284-5: "He paused. None of the others spoke." p. 290: "We are all men who have refused to be fools..." p. 362-3: "The trouble is all that damn trash in the movies......"
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