James Thomas Chiampi takes a detailed look at the novel “The Godfather”, written my Mario Puzo in the article Ressurecting “The Godfather”. He begins with an examination of the criticism of the novel that he has found throughout the years. Some condemn the novel as a mere work of sensationalism that alonbg with a hedonistic atmosphere simply glorifies evil deeds and corruption. Chiampi, however, argues that these critics as well as those that praise it for it’s realism are missing it’s most essential facet, the ability to make the outrageous plausible.

    Chiampi also takes a careful look at the characters and the dynamic between them that Puzo establishes. In this examination he builds an understanding of the characters action within the larger and deeper context of the American dream of justice and the fact that the Corrleone family must by their very own nature exist ouside of that reality. He notes the impossibility of the Corrleone family or anyone associated with them to be able to live within the pretense of that dream for very long. He makes a keen observation by showing that any of the characters that act outside of the realm of the scicilian demeanor or embody characteristics that make them inherently American are either traitors to the Corrleones or die, or both.

    Perhaps the most poignant of analyses to be found in this article is that of the barbarism in the characters. He qualifies this barbaric nature as one of cold calculations and pragmatic choices, but is quick to criticize any argument that depicts Michael Corrleone as anything but an American. Even though Michael fits all of the criteria to be considered an American (Dartmouth, served in the Marines) he ironically must ultimately come to grips with his own identity through the identity of his father. It is then that Michael must take on the sins of his father and although he does not realize it never be able to reach that American dream he thought he had wanted for so long.