Symbolism of Orange

    At first, I thought that the idea of orange containing the meaning of death is foolish, but after the orange was seen various times before the scenes of death in The Godfather, I did some researches to ensure if it's true. After some researches, I had found out that the fruit orange is actually related to the death and the danger. However, I found this symbolism convenience, because it helped me to anticipate what's going to happen when the orange appeared.
There were numerous scenes with the orange, but it was most visibly seen in two different scenes. The first scene was when Vito Corleone was buying an orange got shots by the killers and the second scene was when he ate the orange before the heart attack.

   It was interesting to see how the director could guide the audiences by using an unusual object.

Symbol of the Train- class discussion

   On the scene right before Michael shoot Sollozzo and McCluskey, there was lots of mysterious noises. One of the noises was the train and I believe that it's symbolizing something significant. During the class discussion, someone mentioned that train only goes one way and I think it could be perfectly related to Michael's life.

    The noise of the train represents Michael's inner conflict. Before he encountered with Sollozzo and McCluskey, one of his brothers (not sure) gave him an advice that he should shoot them immediately as he comes out from the bathroom. But he didn't took the advice and waited for the right time. And also before he came out form the bathroom, he showed a hesitation, so we can see Michael's inner conflict.

    Referring to the point 'train only goes one way,' the train noise can also represent Michael's irrevocable life as a mafia. Michael had lived a life as a normal person, but it had completely changed after he murdered Sollozzo and McCluskey. He couldn't live normally anymore and he had to deal with the killers who are attempting to murder him. So the train noise is symbolizing that Michael's unreversible life as a mafia.

   The train noise could be not important as I think, but considering about the timing and the deeper meaning, it could be well related to Michael. Especially to his life as a mafia.

 

Effect of zooming in & pan (Camera)

Director had used zooming and panning in various scenes, and I found it interesting how the simple techniques can draw audience's attention.

During the scene of Woltz's bedroom, camera was slowly panning toward the bed. As the camera got closer to it, we could expect many things. For example, one of the classmates said that he was anticipating to see a dead body popping up. Then at the end of the panning, the dead horse's head was shown. Interesting fact of panning and zooming is that it creates a suspense in the scene. It makes audiences feel they are actually in the scene, which draws their attention and make them fully concentrated.
Second scene was Michael on the chair. Camera was doing exactly same thing (zooming & panning) as the previous scene. But this time, effect was different. It created the suspense in the previous scene, but this time, it empowered the character of the scene. It made it possible for the audiences to feel the authority and the power of Michael.

It was very interesting to see how the same technique could give different effects. I'm looking forward to discover the next effect of zooming & panning.

Characterization - Michael Corleone

   In the wedding scene in early of the movie, Michael had a conversation with Kay about the incident that is related to mafia, then Michael said, "That's my family, Kay. It's not me." I think this is a significant line because it gives a hint that he doesn't willing to get involved in this business. However, this behaviour and attitude changed after Vito Corleone (his father) got five shots by the killers.

   I could see that Michael is willing to get involved in business of mafia when he was with his father at the hospital. He said "I'm with you now. I'm with you."The meaning could be taken literally, but also meaningfully. I'm thinking this line is foreshadowing that Michael has decided to live a new life as a member of mafia.
 Also there was a scene of Michael entering a room where Don is lying. When he entered, camera focused on the room number, 2. Based on the camera angel and the amount time that had been spent (approximately 16 seconds), I could assume that number 2 is alluding that Michael would replace Don's position and become the 'Second Don'

  Because Michael's role in the movie is becoming more significant, I could predict many things, however I noticed that the evidences that I found were well-related to the prediction of Michael taking over Don's role.

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Motif of the door

 Symbolism is being used numerous times in "The Godfather." One example is the door. Door has been used various time in "The Godfather" so we can get an idea that the director did it in purpose to help audience's understanding on many things.

 Door has been used as a transition between the life of mafia and the life of normal person. All the clandestine meeting or dreadful incidents were happened inside, but somethings that are pleasant and delightful had occurred outside. For example, horrendous scenes of Luca Brasi getting stabbed in the hand and discovering dead horse's head were all happened indoor, but delightful scenes, such as a wedding for Vito Corleone's son was held outdoor. The events that held inside were all related to business of mafia, but conversely, outdoor events weren't.

Door represents many other things, but I think the transition between the life of mafia and the life of normal person is the main theme. The other meanings would probably appear as the movie continues and I'm looking forward to see them.

Who's the hero of the Godfather?

   In the movie "The Godfather," Vito Corleone is the hero. It's hard to distinguish who's the hero yet because story haven't been developed much, however, we can make an assumption by the symbols and allusions. I think the hero is Vito Corleone because of the following reasons.
1. The word 'Justice'
2. Called as the godfather
3. dictionary meaning of hero: "the chief male character in a book, play, or movie, who is typically identified with good qualities."
 
   The common thing about the other heros and Don (Vito Corleone) is that they all give people a justice. In the beginning of the movie. Bonasera came to him and said "I ask you for justice." By this line, we can predict that Don is on the side of 'good.'

   It's hard to believe that Don (Vito Corleone) is a hero, because he's the leader of the mafia, but it's true due to the evidences. He's a powerful character who is identified with good qualities by using his power for the justice rather than making a profit, which is why people call him the godfather.