Originally posted by dontomasso:
As for other discussions in this thread about the comparison of Michael to Vito, I think a part of the difference is cultural. Vito understood from his heritage that being a "Godfather" really did mean acting like the patriarch of a very extended family. It would seem Don Tomassino was cut from the same cloth. It was not only about making money and killing people, it was about making sure "his people" were cared for and got chances in life. He built his whole empire by doing favors for people and then making them promise to return the favor another day. Michael, on the other hand, is more in the American tradition. Not as religious as his father, he saw the position of "Godfather" as something that simply came with the territory. He ran things more like a CEO than a patriarch.
Don T makes a very good point. To add to what Don T said above in regards to the cultural differences between father and son, Vito came from a world where his people were abused, taken advantage of and even killed. So it was only natural that when Vito rose to the status that he did that he had the instinct to "protect" his people and those close to him by doing the exact things that Don T points out. But eventually Michael saw his own status as having "power" to do whatever he wanted and take whatever he wanted no matter what the cost. Vito saw his own status as having the power to do what was "needed" and take what was "needed" to protect and provide for those within his cirlce. The cultural difference come down to the "needs" of the old world mentality versus the "wants" of the americanized mentality.
Don Cardi
