Messenger, Christian K. The Godfather and American Culture: How the Corleones Became "Our Gang" New York: State University of New York P, 2002. 173-206.

Chris Messenger’s book, The Godfather and American Culture: How the Corleones Became “Our Gang” focuses on the tremendous impact The Godfather has had on American culture. While The Godfather proved to be influential on the screen, Messenger chooses to detail the powerful popular culture effect that has reverberated since the movies premier in 1972 to the present day. In particular, the chapter entitled “The Godfather and American Culture: How the Corleone’s Became “Our Gang” attempts to explain how a family, who resorts to gruesome violence and is  one of the leaders in illegal gambling rackets, is so beloved even among the most unexpected, scrupulous individuals. He suggests that the Corleones become “Our Gang” mainly because onlookers aspired to exude many of the chief attributes and tenets of the Corleone family such as respect and power.  Although mafia involvement is not typically viewed in a positive light, Messenger contends that a unique emotional connection is established which is rarely associated with such illegal and corrupt activities. For example, male dominance and authority in the family and household settings displayed initially by Don Corleone himself and eventually by his sons are particularly appealing traits to American men today. With the rise in the role in women in the latter half of the 20^th century and into the 21^st, men find a certain emotional reassurance in the controlling male figure.

Coppola presents the viewers with a precarious situation as the family members are both proponents of murder and traditional, loyal family values. It is possible that often the Corleones are granted such clemency because their heinous actions are justified as means of necessities to protect and provide for family members. In one instance The Don remarks, “Do you spend time with your family? Good. Because a man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.”  Had Coppola not included extreme characterization to reveal similarities among the average viewer and the Corleone family, few would be found cheering on these “good” murderers. In general, those who came to admire the Corleone family were successively persuaded by Coppola to view mafia involvement as a mere daytime job; just as one’s character is usually not judged on their profession, viewers should look beyond the traditional Italian-mafia stereotypes and into the caring, trustworthy natures of the Corleone family members.  

In the article “Resurrecting the Godfather,” author James Thomas Chiampi analyzes Mario Puzo’s, The Godfather, and the themes that are consistent throughout the book.  In addition to this, he compares and contrasts the book with the film made by Francis Ford Coppola, to show the difference in the overall message of these two mediums.  Quoting The Godfather Papers, Chiampi informs the reader that Puzo’s overall intentions of writing this book was financially motivated, and according to Puzo, writing this book caused him to “sell out.” 

Chiampi analyzes Puzo’s writing, showing that the book is a social commentary.  He states that Puzo’s writing shows that crime in America is in response to “alienation and powerlessness.”  In order for one to attain power, Puzo shows that one must revert back to the Italian customs.  Chiampi emphasizes that these Italian customs are conveyed through themes that run throughout the book:  a code of behavior, courtesy and strong family ties.  These are expressed through the characteristics of the characters.  Chiampi points out that Sonny’s spontaneity can be categorized as “American,” while Michael’s demeanor is more Sicilian.

Chiampi believes that a theme Puzo tried to develop was the fact that Sicilian culture is better than that of America, and tries to convey that American society is irrational compared to Sicilian.

One can see that Puzo’s beliefs and character development are conveyed through the characters of the movie, insuring that his overall message is captured by the movie.