《教父》中迈克尔的人物

1、本科毕业论文（设计）题 目 对教父中迈克尔的性格研究美国文化对西西里文化的冲击学 院 外国语学院专 业 英语（师范）年 级 2011级学 号 222011310011042姓 名 赵 爽指 导 教 师 刘智勇成 绩2015年 4 月 25 日A Study on Michaels Character in Godfather:American Cultures Impact on Sicilian CultureZhao ShuangSupervisorLiu ZhiyongA Thesis Submitted inPartial Fulfillment of the Requirements

2、 for the Degree ofB. A. in EnglishCOLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIESSOUTHWEST UNIVERSITYApril, 2015ContentsAbstracti内容摘要iiI.Introduction1II.Formation of Michaels Character1A. Sicilian factors2B. American factors3III.On Michaels Character41. Prudent42. Alert and decisive53. Rational6A. American Charact

3、er61. Independent62. Brave73. Straightforward7IV.Positive and Negative Effect of Michaels Character8A. On Michaels Fortune8B. On Mafia8C. On Michaels family9V.Conclusion10Works Cited12Acknowledgements13A Study on Michaels Character in Godfather:American Cultures Impact on Sicilian CultureAbstractA l

4、arge number of Sicilian immigrants flocked into America in late 1900s. They settled down and rose themselves abruptly. With the immigration, Mafia stepped on the land of America. On the one hand, they remained the trait of Sicilian and the tradition of Sicily. On the other hand, they changed themsel

5、ves under the impact of America and gradually became Americanization. There were also some positive and negative effect on Sicilian during the cultural impact and fusion.Michael was a Sicilian born in America, his character had formed in the mixed culture of America and Sicily. The thesis takes Mich

6、ael of Godfather as a typical instance to present the cultural impact and fusion that foreigners who immigrated in America had experienced. To present American cultures impact on foreign culture, the thesis investigates the differences of character between Michael and Sicilian. To demonstrate it, th

7、e thesis studies the positive and negative effect of Michaels character on his life and family. Finally, the thesis can not only make readers know more about the condition and experience of immigrates but also make them have a deeper comprehension on Godfather.Key words: American culture; Sicilian c

8、ulture; Michaels character对教父中迈克尔的性格研究美国文化对西西里文化的冲击赵 爽西南大学外国语学院，重庆 400715内容摘要19世纪末，大量西西里移民涌入纽约，他们在那里扎根并且势力不断壮大。伴随着大量迁移，黑手党踏上了美国国土。一方面，他们保留了西西里人的品质与西西里传统。另一方面，他们在美国文化冲击下不断改变自己，使得他们更加美国化。在此文化冲击与融合中，美国文化对西西里文化产生了积极的影响，但也有消极影响。迈克尔是出生在美国的西西里人，他的性格是在美国文化与西西里文化交融的环境中逐渐形成的。本篇论文以教父中的迈克尔为典例，展现移民美国的外来者所经历的文化冲击

9、与融合。通过研究出生在美国的迈克尔的性格与西西里性格的差异来解释美国文化对外来文化的冲击。通过研究迈克尔的性格对其命运以及家庭所产生的积极影响和消极影响来论证美国文化对西西里文化的冲击。本文的研究不仅可以使读者了解更多关于移民的情况与经历，也能让他们对教父这本书有更深层次的解读。关键词：美国文化；西西里文化；迈克尔的性格46A Study on Michaels Character in Godfather:American Cultures Impact on Sicilian CultureI. Introduction A large number of Sicilian immigra

10、nts flocked into America in late 1900s. They settled down and rose themselves abruptly. With the immigration, Mafia stepped on the land of America. When they first stepped on America, they thought America could give them safety and human rights. But after long-time indignity and oppression, they rea

11、lized that American government was cowardly and snobby. So they fought against American government and built their own organization. Gradually there were five big families governing different districts of America.On the one hand, they remained the trait of Sicilian and the tradition of Sicily. On th

12、e other hand, they changed themselves under the impact of America and gradually became Americanization. There were also some positive and negative effect on Sicilian during the cultural impact and fusion.Michael was a Sicilian born in America, his character had formed in the mixed culture of America

13、 and Sicily. The thesis takes Michael of Godfather as a typical instance to present the cultural impact and fusion that foreigners who immigrated in America had experienced. To present American cultures impact on foreign culture, the thesis investigates the differences of character between Michael a

14、nd Sicilian. To demonstrate it, the thesis studies the positive and negative effect of Michaels character on his life and family. The influence on Michaels fortune that he became the next godfather with the mind of making his family legalization. The influence on his family that he discarded the tra

15、dition of Sicily, making his family a disintegration. At last, the thesis makes the conclusion that native culture has a great impact on foreign culture and makes foreigners more nativilization. Finally, the thesis can not only make readers know more about the condition and experience of immigrates

16、but also make them have a deeper comprehension on Godfather. II. Formation of Michaels CharacterA character structure is a system of relatively permanent traits that are manifested in the specific ways that an individual relates and reacts to others, to various kinds of stimuli, and to the environme

17、nt. If a child whose nurture or education is not ideal, living in a treacherous environment and interacting with adults who do not take the long-term interests of the child to heart will be more likely to form a pattern of behavior that suits the child to avoid the challenges put forth by a malign s

18、ocial environment. It means that the child invents to make the best of a hostile environment. Although this may serve the child well while in that bad environment, it may also cause the child to react in inappropriate ways, which damaging to his or her own interests, when interacting with people in

19、a more ideal social context. A. Sicilian factorsSicily Island was the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, along with surrounding minor islands. Those islands constituted an autonomous region of Italy and were officially called Sicilian Region.Mafia was born in Sicily Island where criminal organ

20、ization gathered secretly. At the beginning, they were both from countryside. they helped each other in the same boat, maintained social equality and justice for the weak occasionally. The family traced its root to 1920, when Vito Corleone assassinated Little Italys padrone, Don Fanucci, and took ov

21、er Fanuccis territory along with fellow hoodlums Genco Abbandando, Peter Clemenza and Salvatore Tessio. Shortly afterward, he founded the Genco Pura Olive Oil Company as a front for his criminal activities. Around 1925, Vito organized Corleone Family, with Genco as his consigliere and Peter and Sal

22、as caporegimes. They became the most powerful crime family in New York after defeating Salvatore Maranzano during the Olive Oil War in the early 1930s. It was during this time that Vitos eldest son, Santino, made his reputation and eventually became a capo himself. Upon becoming successful, the fami

23、ly moved to a compound in Long Beach.From the 1890s to the 1900s in New York City, the Sicilian Mafia developed into the Five Points Gang and were very powerful in the Little Italy of the Lower East Side. They were often in conflict with the Jewish Eastmans of the same area. There was also an influe

24、ntial Mafia family in East Harlem. The Neapolitan Camorra was also very active in Brooklyn. In Chicago, the 19th Ward, which was an Italian neighborhood, became known as the “Bloody Nineteenth” due to the frequent violence in the ward, mostly as a result of Mafia activity, feuds, and vendettas. Duri

25、ng the Great Depression, the power of immigrations in worldwide, especially the US was booming and reached the peak by the middle of the 20 th century, and with that, the nature of Mafia gradually changed into a relentless organization that made people scared. They controlled the animal husbandry, s

26、laughter, orchards and ports, charging the private owners with protection rackets by violence. They were identified with their status by pushing the violence on political circles, entertainment industry and financial communities around Italy, the US and the world. Vincent's time spent with Micha

27、el had made him into a new manwiser, patient, and aware of his status as the new Don. However, he still had a violent streak, as evidenced in his first act as Don.B. American factors Modernity, secularism and democracy are not the result of an evolution in religious beliefs, or even a revolution; on

28、 the contrary, it is faith which has had to adjust to meet the requirements of these new forces. Right up until the 1960s, the act of genocide was proclaimed quite openly and proudly. Hollywood films pitted the “good” cowboy against the “evil” Native American, and this travesty of the past was

29、central to the education of successive generations. At the same time, lynching remained common place, providing a pretext for family picnics. Indeed, the practice of lynching persists today, more discretely and indirectly, in the form of a “justice” system that sends thousands of people to their dea

30、ths most of them African Americans, even though it is common knowledge that at least half of those condemned are innocent.Successive waves of immigration have also helped strengthen the American ideology. Immigrants are certainly not responsible for the misery and oppression that caused their depart

31、ure. They left their lands as victims. However, emigration also meant renouncing the collective struggle to change the conditions in their country of origin. They exchanged their suffering for the host countrys ideology of individualism and “pulling oneself up by ones boot straps”. This ideological

32、shift also serves to delay the emergence of class-consciousness, which hardly has the time to develop before a new wave of immigrants arrives to help abort its political expression. Of course, migration also contributes to the “ethnic empowerment” of American society. The notion of “individual succe

33、ss” does not exclude the development of strong and supportive ethnic communities, without which individual isolation would become unbearable. Yet here again, the strengthening of ethnic identities is a process the American system cultivates only in order to recuperate, for it inevitably weakens clas

34、s consciousness and active citizenship. III. On Michaels CharacterThe character of Michael is a very important in the book. He was a Sicilian born in America, his character had formed in the mixed culture of America and Sicily. To present American cultures impact on foreign culture, the thesis inves

35、tigates the differences of character between Michael and Sicilian. On the one hand, they remained the trait of Sicilian and the tradition of Sicily. On the other hand, they changed themselves under the impact of America and gradually became Americanization. There were also some positive and negative

36、 effect on Sicilian during the cultural impact and fusion.1. PrudentAfter a song, Johnny Fontain and Don Corleone get into the house. Kate asks, “Dont you want to say that super star like Johnny Fontain will also turn to your father?”“ He is a godson, but for my father he will not be a super star.”“

37、It sounds like another amazing story!”Kate Adams laughs.“But I cant talk about it.”Michael shakes his head.“You should believe me.”Kate says.No joking. No proud. Michael just say something eight years ago when his father was more irritable to deal with the thing related with his godson and his perso

38、nal reputation. All the thing are quickly spoken. (Puzo, 39). Jonny Fontain was a super star in Hollywood that made him a heartthrob of large number of women. Kate was a dedicated fans of him. When she caught the sight of Jonny Fontain, she was surprised and astonished that it was even Fontain, the

39、Hollywood super star, could be in contact with Corleone Family. Clever as she was, she managed to dig out some information from Michael. These paragraphs all state that Michael wanted to tell Kate the truth, but he did not. He was influenced by family traditions and Sicilian blood lineage that made

40、him a prudent character. He considered the consequences before informing others something. “No joking. No proud.” showed that he was serious about this thing. The reason of his seriousness was he had been in a peculiar family in America since he was born. 2. Alert and decisiveMichael stops at the ga

41、te of hospital, finding that there is no one on the street. He goes in hospital, surprisingly finding that the hall is empty. The last group of visitors have already left. The time now is around half past ten pm. He is nervous and alert. He does not stay long at information desk, because he know whi

42、ch floor and which room his father stays. He goes up to fourth floor by elevator. It is so freak that no one obstruct him until at the fourth floor a nurse stops him. He walks to the ward quickly without caring the nurse. No one is outdoors. (Puzo, 129).Vito Corleone was assassinated by Sollozo. The

43、 news spread the whole New York. And it was lucky of him that he was not died and his family could still have power to fight against their rivals. When Michael heard the news, the character of Sicilian, a part of his soul, had presented from his deep heart. Out of his love for his dear father, he de

44、termined to involved in this fight and revenge for his father. But things were not that simple. Certainly he was a new one in his family and other members did not take him into account. He wanted to do something but the only thing he could do was to answer the phone. At last, he decided to visit his

45、 father. When he went into the hospital, he found everything was so wrong. No one guarded the gate of hospital, no doctors took care of his father. After communicating with nurse, he immediately realized it was a trick of Sollozo. His Sicilian character gave him a quick reaction to this special situ

46、ation. He made the decision and acted immediately.Michael is back to the ward and calls his brotherSontino Corleon. He speaks in a low voice, “I am Michael, I come late. There is no one here, no one protects father.” Since the danger has begun, he is angry and has deep hatred of fathers enemy at fir

47、st time. He persuades the nurse to take his father out of the ward and send him into another ward which has no patience. He speaks quickly and all the action spend just few minutes.(Puzo, 130). Although he was a new member, the first reaction of him was to inform his brother Sontino who had the real

48、 power to rescue them. These sentences have described Michaels alert and strong sense of danger that he realized the danger at first time. As a son of Vencent, he forced himself to become a real man like his father to deal with this urgency. We can also make a conclusion from this chapter that he wa

49、s so decisive that he ignored his brothers arrangement and according to his own judgment to save his fathers life. If he was a submissive man who followed Sonny s lead, his father would die. In hence, he won his father s trust and was think highly of.3. RationalMichael could disguise himself very we

50、ll. In this point, he and his brotherSontino were in stark contrast. Sonny was a irritable man, he always got into trouble just because of his well-known bad temper and latter he would be blamed by his father. Michael knew that deeply, so he must force himself to oppress his emotions.The lawyer asks

51、 Michael that if he want to cue the sergeant. Michael is beat terribly that he can not speak clearly. He mumbles, “No, I just slipped and fell down.” He sees that the sergeant glance at him in a sense of elation and he tries to return him a smile. He must by all means to hide the beautiful nip in th

52、e air and the hatred from head to toe. He does not want anyone to observe his feeling now. so does Don.(Puzo, 134) .After the arrangement for his father, he went out and stood at the gate of the hospital. When Sollozo found that there were still two persons stayed at the hospital, he called the serg

53、eant and commanded the sergeant to take them away. Then the sergeant came and beat Michael. It is so luckily that his brother and group arrived in time. When his brother Tom, the family lawyer, asked him whether he was beaten by the sergeant. He said no. This paragraph presents that Michael was simi

54、lar to his father, a calm and rational man. A. American Character 1. Independent after world war two, Michael volunteered to join Marine Corps and violated his fathers specific command. He stayed at home for several weeks and went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire without talking with anyone. (P

55、uzo, 10). Michael was expected to be the next godfather. But he volunteered to join Marine Corps and violated his fathers specific command. Michael had his own idea, and pursued it without taking others oppose into account. We all know Vincent was a powerful man, nearly no one dared to disobey him.

56、But Michael did. So all these had stated the Michaels character of independent. He had being living at the environment that was full of the mind of democracy and human rights, he knew what he could do and how to protect his profit. And then he went to Dartmouth College without talking with anyone. T

57、hat demonstrated that Michael was independent and disobedient. 2. BraveMichael had already been 21 years old, no one can change his mind. He joined the army, fought across the Pacific, then was promoted to captain, got medals. In 1944, LIFE published his photos and reputations. In 1945, Michael left

58、 the army ahead of schedule, he still did not know it was his father that arranged his retirement. (Puzo, 11).Michael loved his country, he was willing to fight for his country. Under the influence of America, he became brave and positive. His bravery made him disobey his powerful father, join the enemy and create his own future, which all make the foundation for the road that to be godfather. It demonstrates that bravery make Michaels experience in the troop a immeasurable tr