The Godfather (8-27-13)

For this next blog, I really wanted to focus on theme again since there is just so much that can be gained from the studying of a story’s central insight and controlling idea, a fact that was fully embodied in our reading on theme in Perrine’s chapter. Perhaps one of the most introspective works that deals with revealing the true nature of society and the subtle expansion of a single idea is The Godfather, a true masterpiece of cinematic excellence that has set the standard for what defines an incredible film. Based off Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name, Francis Ford Coppola directs a film that weaves through the intricate nature of the Italian-American mafia in the 1950s, full of violence, love, betrayal, remorse, retribution, and manipulation, all in the quest for power and, more importantly, control. While the cinematography, acting, and intricate plot details are what enamor many viewers of the film, and rightly so, it is the underlying themes strewn across the 3 hour tale that has truly allowed the film to stand the harsh test of time and be put on such a high pedestal. In my opinion one of the most critical elements of the film is the ironic twist given to the central ideas of the film, the first of which being family. To even the most casual viewer, it is made very clear just how important family is to Sicilians. Like the role of an actual godfather, family should be an integral part of one’s life, always there to help them to make the right decisions in life and to share in their company in times both good and bad. Michael Corleone even states at one point in the film, “...and if I ever need any guidance, who's a better consiglieri [counselor] than my father?” Being half-Sicilian myself, it is especially moving to see how close knit the Corleone family is with each other, with Don Vito even stating, “A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man”. With only this in mind, it is easy to forget the ironic twist that Puzo has put on family, in that the function of their family does not revolve around each other but instead is focused on the betterment of the “family business” of running the mafia. If one were to expand this idea a step more, it is clear that Puzo is presenting an idea reflecting the corruptive nature of humans, taking something which should be pure and wholesome, such as family, and weaving into a web of lies and deceit. Even the idea of a godfather has been taken to a twisted level, described as “a very religious, sacred, close relationship” but instead used as a seat of power and manipulation. The ironic twist that was seen in the aspect of family also permeates into the idea of the American Dream. From the opening lines of the film, “I believe in America”, it slowly becomes more and more evident that the ruthless Corleone family functions no differently than any other big business that has found success in this country.  Puzo has again taken a thought pure in origin, the idea of the American Dream that involves working hard and eventually finding success, and skewing it to show its reflection in the hands of a crime lord. But just like the Corleone family, the goal of capitalism is not honesty, but power and control. Don Vito Corleone put it best, reflecting, “I refused to be a fool, dancing on the string held by all those big shots…but I thought that, when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the string”. The idea of family and the American Dream both largely reflect the point that I think Puzo was driving at in the first: the extent to which we as people will sacrifice what is good and honest in our lives in return for selfish desires such as power, wealth, and control. And just like Michael, we may never see ourselves becoming part of our own “family business” of our lives, but that does not mean it can’t happen. After all, “It’s nothing personal, it’s strictly business”.

2112 (8-25-13)

For homework we were assigned to do some textbook reading on theme, which talked about what everyday people perceive to be theme, the differences between a “theme” and a “moral”, and how we should go about identifying a theme within a story. It all seems very simple to understand until one tries to apply these ideas within the context of a complex storyline, something I thought that I should try to do. My mind immediately went not to a profound literary work of art nor a grandiose cinematic production, but rather, went instead to thinking of the multiple themes that lay behind “2112”, a Rush song that actually draws inspiration from the ideas of Ayn Rand, author of Anthem and The Fountainhead, both of which have drawn awe and controversy for their underlying meanings. Above this immensely technical and progressive work of music lies a story that heavily criticizes the nature of the mass against the individual, the dangers of government, and the power of individuality. The story surrounds a character, referred to only as Anonymous, who in the year 2112 in Megadon City has been living out his simple existence in the aftermath of a great war and the creation of the Red Solar Federation. He does not realize in his ignorance that this is a full-on totalitarian government constantly controlling every aspect of human life. But in his blind ignorance he relishes in the thought of having his life in the hands of a manipulative political force, referred to as Priests, who dwell in the Temples of Syrinx. He relays his thoughts saying “I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy…I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests…”. The priests, who seem to have a god-like status living in their illustrious temples have “taken care of everything, the words you hear, the songs you sing the pictures that give pleasure to your eyes” as they blot out every sense of freedom that a person may have, very much indicative to the nature of an all-controlling “Big Brother” from 1984. While this may lead several people to believe that the underlying theme of the story to be one filled with paranoia and a political lash out against the nature of socialist and communist governments, like George Orwell and his nightmarish fabrication, as the story continues a new controlling idea emerges: the power of the individual and his fight against the mass. Our Anonymous hero is awakened from his propaganda-filled daze when he stumbles in a cave upon an artifact of an ancient time fully symbolic of liberty, freedom, and individuality: a guitar. “I found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in
my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful”. The character revels in his newfound discovery and the idea that he can produce something that is his own creation, not that which is of an over-reaching group of tyrants. Yet in his ignorance he wishes to present his discovery to the Priests, naively thinking they will share in the find the artifact that has the same power of expression as does written word. In his humble presentation, thinking his music can change how the priests think and control people’s lives, the head priest Father Brown reacts in fury and destroys his beloved treasure, calling it “Another toy that helped destroy
the elder race [those who lived before the creation of the Red Solar Federation] of man. Forget about your silly whim, it doesn't fit the plan”. Disillusioned after his loss to the mentality of the masses, he wanders home and has a vision: a glimpse of how life used to be, full of the expression of individual thought and freedom and where creativity could flourish. He vividly describes his dream, saying, “I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world”. Yet as he joyously revels in his second ancient discovery, a harsh truth hits him: “how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things”. He awakens with a start, realizes his perfect world was only a dream, and retreats to the cave where the spark of freedom was first ignited. It is here he realizes what his future has in store for him: “I can no longer live under the control of the Federation…My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last”. As he takes his life and his broken form hits the cold cave floor, it may seem that the fire of freedom had been extinguished but wildfires are not easily subdued, and following the Anonymous hero’s the elder race, which had been in hiding the whole time successfully defeated the Red Solar Federation and prepare to return the world to how things once were. So, with the entire story in mind alongside the sub-themes that were broken down with the progression of the tale, the question remains as to what is the overarching insight that should be gained from this piece. In my opinion, the controlling idea revolves around how the Anonymous hero changes, going from ignorance, to excitement, to all-knowing, and finally to mournful. His constant changing reflects the overall human nature, always being shaped by the circumstances of our daily lives. But underneath the constant shifts there is a warning that we should not allow our circumstances to dictate us based on our past, but let us define our circumstances based on who we are now and let us use this strength to guide us into the right future.

Hemispheres (8-19-13)

The past two weeks we have been talking about Frankenstein in class, one aspect in my opinion being about the two different sides of Victor, his colloquial self whenever he is with his family and friends, and the monstrous other side. While many simply think that only the normal side should dominate and the creative more destructive side be pushed completely aside, I see this as a disproportionate balance. The thought of balance then got me to think of “Hemispheres” a Rush song that deals with the very delicate concept of what aspects of life should truly dominate oneself, but instead of dealing with normalcy and the destructive self, the work deals with the battle between logic and emotion, or in other words, of wisdom and love. The opposing mentalities are characterized by the immortal Greek gods Apollo and Dionysus in the great halls of Olympus, the first being the bringer of wisdom and the latter being the bringer of love. Both of the gods wrestle back and forth, manipulating the people of earth to fully embrace but one mentality, one ‘hemisphere’ of the brain that they believe to be the better one. The prelude begins with “They battled through the ages but still neither force would yield/the people were divided every soul a battlefield”. First Apollo comes to the people of earth to convince them how much of a benefit it is to have logic, reason, and structure dominate one’s life. He entices them by saying “I bring wit and wisdom fair, precious gifts beyond compare…you can live in grace and comfort in the world that you transform”. The people are ecstatic to hear about all they can do with Apollo’s knowledge, going on to build great walls and cities. But amidst all the splendor they have built for themselves, the people cannot help to think that something is missing in their lives, something to alleviate the mundane nature of what their lives have become which are only focused on logic. It is then that they turn to the bringer of love, Dionysus, to overcompensate and allow the other hemisphere of life to dominate, which is love, pleasure, and enjoyment. The god’s clever enticements fully convince the people, as he says to them “You need only trust your feelings only love can steer you right…throw off those chains of reason and your prison disappears”. Almost immediately the people abandon their great creations and happily run out to the forest where they can eat and drink as much as they please without a single care in the world. It is only after a cold winter, starvation, and wolves do the people realize the folly of allowing emotion to dictate their lives. This is then followed by a clash between Apollo and Dionysus and the people of the world are forced to choose sides over which is better. The turmoil is described, as “the universe divided the heart and mind collided…in a cloud of doubt and fears their world was turned asunder into hollow hemispheres”. Neither side will accept the other as victor, and it takes the intervention of an unnamed hero to make the great Olympian gods and the people of earth realize that neither side should be the victor, but instead there should be a balance between the two that allows for both the heart and mind to be together in harmony. Furthermore, we ought to conduct our lives in a way that allows for the healthy balance between logic and emotion, allowing time for both and not letting one become greater than the other. To complete the imagery, the song concludes with “the heart and mind united in a single perfect sphere”. While the context of Frankenstein and his self division is very different, I think this helps us to realize on a more personal scale what it is like to have to deal with the divided self.