Originally posted by Cristina's Way:
Perhaps deep down, he wants what all fathers want for their sons: to be proud of him, to have dreams for him, to inspire confidence in him, to see a little of himself in him. It's one of the tragedies of the film that by emulating and respecting his own late father, Michael gradually becomes a stranger to his own son.
Excellent point, Cristina!
I would only add that perhaps Michael, not unlike any other father, wants his son to be something more and better than himself. It is possible that Michael, at a certain time in his life, hopes what Vito dreamt for him could come true for Anthony....Governor Corleone, President Corleone....Only to realize, at the end, that not only he did not accomplish Vito's goals (but this was nobody's fault), but he even lost his own son's affection. As I already wrote in previous posts, the more I reflect on Michael's character, the more I realize how tragic his fate was. The ones he loved died or left him. He began paying for his crimes in Sicily, with Apollonia's death. No wonder he dies all by himself in Sicily, where it all began. The circle closes.
