Why was Santino the way he was?

I always wondered why Sonny was so rambunctious and ruly and what caused him to acquire that sort of mindset. Was it because of the way he was raised, some tragedy? What are your opinions?

And do take into consideration that I have not read the book yet and perhaps in there may be the reason. If so can you tell me the book's reason why?

In the book it's said that Sonny saw Vito kill Fanucci. This had to have an enormous impact on his young psyche.

i knew that though. but he was only like two so how could that have affected him that much?

His father was a cold blooded murderer who then went on to threaten people with murder and to sponsor others who murdered. I would say it's in the genes.

yeah i bet thats it. good thing the others didnt inherit that.

Yeah, it's a good thing that Fredo didn't arrange for an attempt on his brother's life, or that Mike shunned killng (especially fratricide), or that Connie didn't order a hit. Whew! Glad they didn't inherit those killer genes like Sonny did.

what an interesting story it would've been if that had happened

He was older (in the book) when he saw Vito kill Fanucci.

Dunno if you have any siblings, but if you do ask yourself if you're exactly like them (personality wise). Two children from the same parents can be totally different from each other.

i heard he was like 6 or something in the book, is that true?

SC, not only CAN they be totally different, but siblings usually are.

The novel actually say that Sonny was more like Antonio Andolini, who was killed by Don Ciccio for his hot temper and his inability to keep his mouth shut.

oh and i never said he was exactly like the others

i really gotta read that novel dont i?

The book doesn't specify an age, but by deducing some approximate dates its safe to say Sonny was about 8 or 9 when he witnessed Fanucci's murder. (Sonny was born in 1910 in the book; 1916 in the movies. The movie has Fanucci being killed in 1920; the novel alludes to about 1918 or 1919).

oh so i guess that was it. but they shouldve made that way in the movie , it could've given me a more clear answer. i wonder why they switched it

Dunno, but you're right... you SHOULD read the book (you'll get some great insights into the characters that you already know from the movies).

i will put that on my to-do list

The bottom line is that Santino Corleone was the way that he was because Mario Puzo made him that way.

He also may have turned out that way because Fredo used to kick the sh*t out of him when they were kids.

Seriously though, I really suggest that you read the book.


Don Cardi

im working on getting it. hopefully the next time i go to borders i will find it for a low price

I've opined in other posts that each one of the boys mirrored a portion of Vito's characteristics. Fredo's was the gentleness that made him a family man, Sonny the agression the made Vito a murderer, and Micahel his intelligence. Neither was as complete as the father; sons seldom are.

Not to ruin the book for you, but since you asked...

(I have not read the passage in a while so settle for this temporary effort to paraphrase, I will expand later if you like when I re-read the passage)

Sonny is compared to Luca b/c neither feared death. Sonny's death is described as a relief for him, something that he had searched for, something that would finally ease all of the tension and emotions that he himself could not ease. In order for him to be so brave and not afraid to look death in the eye he had to have a certain disdain for life. It was this search for death as a relief to his high emotional state that allowed him to be so brave in dire situations when normal people would have backed off.