Light and Darkness

Light and darkness is a motif used in The Godfather, a numerous amount of times. Light represents truth, existence and knowledge. Darkness represents evil, death and fabrication.

 Francis Ford Coppola uses this motif many times every time he uses it,

it represents something different. For example, in the beginning of the film The Godfather is sitting in his chair and Francis Ford Coppola puts a halo around The Godfathers head with the light. Another example when Sollozzo kidnaps Tom Hagen and you see him sitting in the chair, half of his face is in the dark and the other half is in the light. Why is that?  Francis Ford Coppola is trying to show that Tom Hagen is indecisive, half leaning towards the good and half leaning towards the good. 

There were two times when Francis Ford Coppola uses the light to add a halo to The Godfathers head. That was at the beginning of the movie. Then the second time was when the halo appeared on Michael's head. If any one besides The Godfather were to have a halo it seems that it would be Sonny. I say that because when The Godfather was shot and in the hospital, Sonny was calling all the shots and telling people what to do. Though Francis Ford Coppola puts the halo on Michael’s head. Why is that? At the hospital seen after Michael moves The Godfather to another room, he says to his father “Lie here pop, ill take care of you. I’m with you now... I’m with you now” Michael is finally acting like a Corleone, he is maturing. He is taking responsibly for who he is, he is doing what he thinks is right. That is why I think the halo is on Michael’s head not Sonny’s head because he deserves it. He is the one that came up with the plan to blow Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey head off. It is something that no one in the family has ever done before, killed a cop. This is a big plan and Clemezo said himself "you know mike we are all proud of you being a hero and all even your father", if this happens they would all be delated. 


Sakina