Assignment Questions:
Critical Thinking Questions (200 to 250 words):
- Compare and contrast Ethan Edwards (the protagonist in The Searchers) and Michael Corleone.
- Discuss the intercutting of the baptism scenes with the murders of the rival families. What point is Coppola making about Michael? What point is he making about the sanctity of life?
- Don Corleone tells Michael that he had hoped he would be able to lead a different life than the one he chose, a life outside of the criminal world. Do you think this would have been possible for Michael even if he had not?
Assignment Answers:
- The characters of Ethan Edwards (from The Searchers) and Michael Corleone (from The Godfather) are similar in many ways. At the beginning of each film, they are returning from war to their families. Shortly after their return, the families are struck with tragedy.
- The intercutting of the baptism scenes with the murders of the rival families is interesting because it shows the two lives Michael has to now lead. The point being made by Coppola about Michael is that, even though it is a struggle for him, he is doing what is best for the family. the point being made about the sanctity of life is that we are all born pure and it is our responsibility to stay or not stay that way.
- I do not think that it would have been possible for Michael to choose a life, even if his family wasn't killed because it is too much of what is family is and it's in his blood.
