Week 1 Hero's Journey- Dentiza

"Leave the Gun. Take the Cannoli."

Through the whole beginning of the film, there has always been a way to connect with the Hero's journey.

STAGES OF THE HERO'S JOURNEY

1) Departure- The hero is called to adveture, although he is more reluctant to accept.

This stage is protrayed through the beginning of the movie, when Michael comes to the wedding of his sister, Connie. Basically presenting Michael that he is leaving the army and coming home shows that Michael is entering an adventure.

2) Initiation- The hero crosses a threshold into a new, more dangerous world, gaining a more mature perspective.

This stage begins when Michael enters family business meetings and decisions. A great scene was when Michael was speaking to his father's crew about a plan in his office and the camera zoomed into him, presenting confidence in what he was saying. His stance in that scene also illuminated power. That was more of the communication wise in entering a new world.
Physically, Michael entered the dangerous world of mafia gangs when he shot the cop and Sollozo.

3) The Road of Trials- the hero is given supernatural aid, endures tests of strength, resourcefulness, and endurance.

This stage is shown when Michael gets a hold of a gun (his magic weapon) from his strange but wise mentor, Clemenza. Clemenza teaches Michael how to use the gun and how to present himself. Basically something like Harry getting his wand from Dumbledore, who teaches Harry how to use his wand in order to win the task.

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-The Castle- this is a place where there is a strong proctection and safety. It reminded me of Corleone's house because that is where Vito was brought after Michael saved him from the hospital. It is where nobody dares to enter because Vito's whole crew is there to protect, not only Vito himself, but as well as the whole family.

-I WAS RIGHT! A few days ago I wrote about how cats have something to do in the film, and that the represent a higher status to the protagonist. I was looking through the hero's journey and under the 'character archetypes' there is an archetype that states "Friendly Beast" and that is an animal companion that protrays that nature is on the hero's side. Nature contains many things under it's title. Therefore, the fact that Vito Corleone has a cat in his hands represents power of nature because nature is the existing system of all things in the world.