You all have had discussions of theme on this forum before, but I have always been told that a theme cannot be stated in one word (i.e. family, vengeance, power, love, etc.), but it is moreso what the author/creator tries to TEACH ABOUT those topics. What is the lesson? I remember that one of my teachers used to tell me that a theme should be a sentence. That being said, what lessons do you all think that Puzo and Coppola were trying to TEACH with these films?

I'll start: There has to be a balance of temperment and intelligence in order to be successful.

Don Vito had that balance, which is why he was able to run the family so well. Sonny had a temper, but not the intelligence to explore his options before he acted. Michael had the intelligence, but eventually let his need for swift action destroy his family and himself. In a way, he turned into Sonny, but without the obvious, outward show of his temper. He has the most dangerous combo because he has high intelligence and a bad temper. No good.