Originally posted by Cristina's Way:
The fact that Michael has taken the responsibility for Anthony's gift (and delegated it to Tom instead of Kay when he was otherwise occupied) illustrates Michael's patriarchal thinking. As son and heir to the Corleone empire, Anthony has been singled out for special treatment and, by intention at least, a particularly close bond with his father.
..... 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.
Very well said! And the Ironic thing about it is that Mary winds up being the one closer to Michael, the one who's curious to know about the background of the family, of the life. Anthony may have had Michael's traits as far as doing what he wanted to do, having a strong will of his own. But it is Mary that is more like Michael. Mary also had that will of her own trait, but she also knew, just like the younger Michael that we see in GFI, that the survival of the family was important. If Mary was a male, a son, there is no question that she would have followed in her father's footsteps. No question in my mind that she would have been the one to take over the family.
Don Cardi
