Treating wives like s**t isn't confined to "Wops." I think FFC and Puzo were trying to show that, by 1958, the idea of "family" that united the Corleones had sunk into dissolution despite Michael's facade of legitimacy.

Anthony's party was a perfect metaphor: a child's religious rite turned into a cast-of-thousands party to shield the corruption and skullduggery going on in its midst. Deanna's drunken, wanton behavior perfectly underscored Fredo's weakness and frustration--all of it a big comedown from the unity Vito had assured with his strength of character. Connie said it perfectly at table after the "Cent' anni" toast: "It'd be true if my father was alive."