Introduction
The Godfather is an American crime film created in 1972 by Francis Ford Coppola on the basis of Mario Puzo’s novel. It describes the story of the Corleone family involved in mafia business with Vito Corleone as its head, or don. Vito has four children, and one of the central topics of the film is the transformation of Michael Corleone, his youngest son, into a new mafia boss. At the same time, Coppola does not provide the audience with a clear explanation related to the reasons for this event. Michael’s decision cannot be regarded as clear and straightforward, and viewers are provided with an opportunity to find an answer and interpret the situation on the basis of their personal experiences and worldview. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reasons for Michael’s transition from a law-abiding person who was against the family’s activities to a new boss who replaced his father from the position of the psychoanalytical theory in order to support the statement that a person’s decisions are determined by his superego.
The Transformation of Michael Corleone from The Godfather
On the one hand, according to the film’s plot, Michael replaces his father being an outstanding leader whose ability to think rationally makes him a better candidate for the position of a mafia boss in comparison with his brothers. However, although the transformation is presented as a matter of business, it has deep roots connected with Michael’s personal development and the prevalence of the subconscious over a conscious mind part. In general, the psychoanalytical theory is based on the statement that people are motivated by unseen forces even if they are controlled by rational thought and consciousness. In addition, it refers to the existence of three mind components, including id, ego, and superego. As the most primitive part, id is associated with the satisfaction of basic instinctual and biological needs. In turn, ego is a conscious mind part based on o proper reasoning in accordance with the current situation. Finally, superego is developed by people’s influence as a system of values and beliefs.
The development of the ego ideal, self-identification, and separation from parents are the natural processes of human development. At the same time, when parents establish the framework of a child’s behavior associated with multiple restrictions and limitations, it may lead to resistance. Michael Corleone’s activities may be regarded as his reaction to his upbringing focused on the necessity to be involved in the family business. In addition, the Corleone family clearly identifies the culture that determines men’s appropriate behavior. As a result, Michael refuses to be involved in criminal activities – against his father’s will, he joins the Marines and goes to Second World War to return as a real hero (The Godfather). He demonstrates his love for the country, law obedience, and the difference between him and the Corleone family. He is ready to obey American culture and believes that it is possible to be highly successful without committing crimes.
As previously mentioned, the Corleone family has a clear definition of a man and how he should talk and act. Refusing the involvement in the family business, Michael is perceived as a child having his face slapped and cheek pinched (The Godfather). At the same time, the transformation starts with the trauma as the most emotional event that impacts a person’s attitude to the current situation or lets inner forces determine behavior. In the case of Michael, his father’s attempted assassination may be regarded as such a trauma. It shows Michael that he loves his father and should act reasonably to protect Vito and his family (The Godfather). In this case, it is possible to say that Michael’s submerged identity begins to awaken.
During childhood, a child’s ego ideal is developed on the basis of parents’ figures representing the desire for self-development. In this case, a son will have a wish to become better than his father. In addition, in psychoanalysis, there is a phenomenon of the parental complex associated with a child’s desire to return to his parents everything they gave to him. From a personal perspective, it is Michael’s subconscious desire to protect his father, be with him, and actually be him proving that he is not worse than him that evokes when Vito faces a serious threat to his life. Even if Michael tries to think logically, this accident reveals his feelings he cannot ignore and hide. He realizes that his family needs him and he will do everything to help his father and brothers. Moreover, these inner forces change Michael’s attitude to his brother’s attitude to his worldview. Thus, while he focuses on his intentions to show that he and his family had nothing in common ignoring his brothers’ mockery, he becomes furious when Sonny refuses his help (The Godfather). Michael reminds him that his father was shot, he worries, he was in the war killing people, and he is not a child anymore.
There are other signs of Michael’s transformation into his father. When he stays with Vito in the hospital, he promises that he will stay with him to protect him. Michael is ready to cover his father from bullets with his body. Taking into consideration that Vito was shot, Michael’s readiness to be shot as well puts him in his father’s place. In addition, along with the intention to pay back, a child may form a rescue fantasy in relation to his parent. In this case, when Michael saves his father, he replaces him usurping his power. At the same, fathers traditionally refuse to be saved as they feel helpless and frustrated. This may be observed in the example of Vito Corleone, who is not satisfied with Michael’s transformation and his violent revenge as he hopes that his youngest son’s ambitions will lead the Corleone family to legal status and development.
Conclusion
All in all, on the basis of the psychoanalytical theory, it is possible to conclude that Michael Corleone transforms into the mafia boss replacing his father guided by his superego formed by his family. The man does not want to be associated with the Corleone family, its culture, and its activities. Michael has plans for a different future when his father is shot and this event triggers the awakening of his submerged identity. Nevertheless, Michael was raised on the family’s traditions that formed his in-depth values and beliefs. Supposing that following another culture will guarantee his success, he stays away from his family. However, in a critical situation, he realizes that he loves his father and should help his family as no one else will be able. In addition, following the fantasy that he should be better than his father, Michael takes his position.
Work Cited
The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Paramount Pictures, 1972.