Main Task - Textual Analysis - The Godfather

Representation of Gender: The Godfather

The scene opens with a close up of Don Corleones face, discussing business about solluzo, the sound is all non-diagetic, so that the audience can understand fully what they are discussing. Sonny, one of many sons of Don Corleone is also present for his opinion. In this whole scene, there are no women to be seen; suggesting that this scene is very gender specific and male dominated. The camera then cuts to a long shot of solluzo walking into where Don Corleone is seated waiting for him. This suggests that there is a meeting held between them, to talk business, a typical male scene, and in this whole movie, we can say that talking business has become a hobby and a habit for most men.

    However this scene is very civil, with no weapons or violence intended, which is not a typical male dominated movie. Within the conversation between Tom, Sonny and Don Corleone, Vito Corleone is treated with utmost respect as he speaks, which is emphasized throughout the movie. We now cut to solluzo walking in and being greeted by Tom Hagen and Sonny, while Tom Hagens conversation with Don corleone can still be heard and is overlapped with the present event. This cuts to an over the shoulder shot of Tom, advising Don Corleone about how they need to get involved in the drug business, in which solluzo is offering.

      The status of an advisor in a traditional Italian family is highly respected and is also very sacred. We not cut to a straight shot of solluzo, wearing a very expensive looking suit, suggesting that he is of high status. In the 1970’s, fashion trend was highly regarded and you were judged accordingly. We cut to a conversation between men in a bar in a shot reverse shot, reinforcing that this is a male dominated scene. Also the presence of alcohol is highly regarded as a celebration and peace, reinforcing that this meeting is civil, also suggesting how this differs from a typical male scene in a bar.

      We cut to a over the shoulder shot of solluzo, who is not pleased with Don Corleones answer, and in the same shot Sonny interrupts Don Corleone, which is very disrespectful, and offends Don Corleones super ego, a typical reaction from a male. There are many suggestive ways in which gender is represented, such as the mise en scene, were the men are in a bar surrounded by alcohol.