The Godfather (Mario Puzo)

1. What kind of business is Solozzo involved in?

2.     How does he pursue his aim?

3.     Why is he interested in Don Corleone?

4.    What is the reason for refusal?

5.     How is the idea of government corruption brought about?

6.    Can you make up a vocabulary list of prop words which you consider to be essential for your analysis of the text?

Virgil ‘the Turk” Sollozzo was a powerfully built, medium-sized man of dark complexion who could have been taken for a true Turk. He had a scimitar of a nose and cruel black eyes. He also had an impressive dignity.

Sonny Corleony met him at the door and brought him into the office where Hagen and the Don waited. Hagen thought he had never seen a more dangerous-looking man except for Luka Brasi.

There were polite handshakings all around. If the Don ever asks me if this man has balls, I would have to answer yes, Hagen thought. He had never seen such force in one man, not even the Don. In fact the Don appeared at his worst.. He was being a little too simple, a little too peasantlike in his greeting.

Sollozzo came to the point immediately. The business was narcotics.. Everything was set up. Certain poppy fields in Turkey had pledged him certain amounts every year. He had a protected plant in France to convert into morphine. He had an absolutely secure plant in Sicily to process into heroin. Smuggling into both countries was as positively safe as such matters could be. Entry into the United States would entail about five cent losses since the FBI itself was incorruptible, as they both knew. But the profits would be enormous, the risk nonexistent.

"Then why do you come to me?” the Don asked politely. "How have I deserved your generosity?”

Sollozzo’s dark face remained impassive. "I need two million dollar cash,” he said. "Equally important, I need a man who has powerful friends in the important places. Some of my couriers will be caught over the years. That is inevitable. They will all have clean records, that I promise. So it will be logical for judges to give light sentences. I need a friend who can guarantee that when my people get in trouble won’t spend more than a year or two in jail. Then they won’t talk. But if they get ten and twenty years, who knows? In this world there are many weak individuals. They may talk, they may jeopardize more important people. Legal protection is a must. I hear, Don Corleone, that you have as many judges in your pocket as a bootblack has pieces of silver.”

Don Corleone didn’t bother to acknowledge the compliment. "What percentage for my family?” he asked.

Sollozzo’s eyes gleamed. "Fifty per cent.” He paused and then said in a voice that was almost a caress, "In the first year your share would be three or four million dollars. Then it would go up.”

Don Corleone said, "And What is the percentage of the Tattaglia family?”

For the first time Sollozzo seemed to be nervous. "They will receive something from my share. I need some help in the operations.”

"So,” Don Corleone said, "I receive fifty per cent merely for finance and legal protection. I have no worries about operations, is that what you tell me?”

Sollozzo nodded. "If you think two million dollars in cash is "merely finance”, I congratulate you, Don Corleone.”

The Don said quietly, "I consented to see you out of my respect for the Tattaglias and because I’ve heard you are a serious man to be treated also with respect. I must say no to you but I must give you my reasons. The profits in your business are huge but so are the risks. Your operation, if I were part of it, could damage my other interests. It’s true I have many, many friends in politics, but they would not be so friendly if my business were narcotics instead of gambling. They think gambling is something like liquor, a harmless vice, and they think narcotics a dirty business. No, don’t protest. I’m telling you their thoughts, not mine. How a man makes his living is not my concern. And what I am telling you is that this business of yours is risky. All the members of my family have lived well the last ten years, without danger, without harm. I can’t endanger them or their livelihoods out of greed.”

The only sign of Sollozzo’s disappointment was a quick flickering of his eyes around the room, as if he hoped Hagen or Sonny would speak in his support. Then he said, "Are you worried about security for your two million?”

The Don smiled coldly, "No,” he said.

Sollozzo tried again. "The Tattaglia family will guarantee your investment also.”

It was then that Sonny Corleone made an unforgivable error in judgement and procedure. He said eagerly, "The Tattaglia family guarantees the return of our investment without any percentage from us?”

Hagen was horrified at this break. He saw the Don turn cold, malevolent eyes on his eldest son, who froze in uncomprehending dismay. Sollozzo’s eyes flickered again but this time with satisfaction. He had discovered a chink in the Don’s fortress. When the Don spoke his voice held a dismissal. "Young people are greedy,” he said. "And today they have no manners. They interrupt their elders. They meddle. But I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I have spoiled them. As you see. Signor Sollozzo, my no is final. Let me say that I myself wish you good fortune in your business. It has no conflict with my own. I’m sorry that I had to disappoint you.”

Sollozzo bowed, shook the Don’s hand and let Hagen take him to his car outside. There was no expression on his face when he said goodbye to Hagen.