Posted By: Jimmy Buffer
Vito's successor - 04/25/06 02:26 AM
I recently finished reading the novel for the first time and one thing I found particuarly interesting was the conflict within Vito about who would succeed him as Don. I remember several times where Puzo mentioned that the title was not hereditary. This is something that isn't really shown in the movie. Obviously we see Vito's disapproval of Sonny's actions after the Sollozzo meeting, but throughout the whole movie it is generally implied that Sonny is without a doubt Vito's successor.
If Vito wasn't thinking that Sonny would take over, then who would he have chosen? Just as in the movie, there is reference in the novel to Clemenza's line about a time coming when he and Tessio could form their own families, so that leads me to believe that Vito wouldn't have turned it over to either of those two. Also, the way the line is spoken and written leads one to believe that this was something Vito discussed with his Capos at least several years ago, if not longer still, in the past.
I bring this up because Tessio's eventual betrayal was always considered "the smart move" because Michael didn't appear to be a great choice to succeed Vito, however, if Vito had any doubts about Sonny, then Tessio and Clemenza must have had serious doubts. After all, it's always easy to ignore your own children's faults. When Sonny temporarily takes over as Don in Vito's absence, Tessio and Clemenza both stay loyal.
Do you guys think that Tessio would have betrayed whomever Vito named as his successor as long as it wasn't him, or do you think Tessio turned traitor specifically in response to Michael's ascension? I always thought it was the latter from my movie viewings, but after having experienced the joy of reading the novel, I'm leaning more towards the former.
If Vito wasn't thinking that Sonny would take over, then who would he have chosen? Just as in the movie, there is reference in the novel to Clemenza's line about a time coming when he and Tessio could form their own families, so that leads me to believe that Vito wouldn't have turned it over to either of those two. Also, the way the line is spoken and written leads one to believe that this was something Vito discussed with his Capos at least several years ago, if not longer still, in the past.
I bring this up because Tessio's eventual betrayal was always considered "the smart move" because Michael didn't appear to be a great choice to succeed Vito, however, if Vito had any doubts about Sonny, then Tessio and Clemenza must have had serious doubts. After all, it's always easy to ignore your own children's faults. When Sonny temporarily takes over as Don in Vito's absence, Tessio and Clemenza both stay loyal.
Do you guys think that Tessio would have betrayed whomever Vito named as his successor as long as it wasn't him, or do you think Tessio turned traitor specifically in response to Michael's ascension? I always thought it was the latter from my movie viewings, but after having experienced the joy of reading the novel, I'm leaning more towards the former.