Interesting comparision of Mike and Vito as dons. Would you agree that part of the way they conducted business was due to the time they were don. In other ways, as you stated, and I agree, Vito started out doing what he had to do for survivial, and Mike to acquire more wealth and power.
I think both of the factors you cited are right, Johnny. Their perspective on themselves is a product of both factors. Sicilian-born Vito still had that "grantor of justice" side that was valued in the old country, and useful in cementing support among his constituents in New York. Michael was a national, later global, figure. For him, as you say, the figure of merit was acquiring more wealth and power. But toward what end? Vito never lusted for "legitimacy"
per se. Per the novel, he saw himself as doing a better job of running his world than did the political pezzanovanti. He was "legitimate" in the eyes of his fellow Sicilian immigrants, and respected and feared among his peers in the Mafia. Michael was obsessed with "legitimacy." A big part of the troubles he inflicted on himself and his family was his inability to accept what he really was--a problem Vito didn't have.
Continuing the comparision of Mike and Vito, how do you think they finally ended up in the minds of people that have watched the films, and at this point, other then new borns, I can't imagine not many people who havent seen the films at least once.
I think from the beginning the Brandon Vito was always liked and respected because of the way he was portrayed and time period of his life. He was way past the blood and guts part of his life, and he was shown as very devout family man, plus being able to outwit his enemies. I also believe this to be true with the DeNiro Vito. Even though he was shown to be a murderer, most could relate to a man taking care of his family and getting revenge on someone that was responsible for the murder of his mother, father and brother. Mike on the other hand might have been initially been liked by people in GFI and possibly even at the end, despite all the bloodshed he was responsible for. Continuing with GF III, I think initially he was liked, especially with the manner in which he handled business, especially his meeting with Geary. I think possibly as time went by, and he started killing for profit, many people might have started to turn away from him. Finally in GF III he appears to be sort of a diluted Vito, good family man, etc, and finally ended a sympathetic character that dies on a chair with no one around except some stray dog.
