The Godfather Returns Themes

The Godfather Returns Themes

Passion versus Reason Perhaps the central theme of the book, the main characters all struggle, to some extent, with the dichotomy between passion and reason. Michael likes to think he makes all his decisions based on cool logic, but Nick Geraci shows us a contradiction in the Don's decision-making. Just before Nick shoots Tessio, Tessio attempts to make it easier for his protygy by telling Nick it's "just business," a phrase often heard in the Mafia world. In that moment Nick thinks of the eulogy Don Michael gave his father. In this eulogy, Michael stated that what made Vito great was that nothing was ever "just business" with him, that he took everything personally. Indeed, the Family business is so inextricably linked with family that it can never fundamentally be only about business.

Reason appears to be a tool used by the men in service of their passions. The phrase "just business" is usually trotted out when Michael wishes to justify killing another human being. Often the motive is purely profit, and therefore actually "just business." Just as often, though, revenge is the motive for murder, with no other profit or benefit besides the satisfaction of a lust for vengeance. Michael, as his father did before him, convinces both himself and others that he's governed by logic. His calm, unruffled surface (especially as compared to his hot-head brother, Sonny) convinces the Mafia world that he is a reasonable man, driven by cold calculation. Even his wife thinks so, and wishes he would make his decisions with his heart, not his head.

Underneath the surface, however, is a seething cauldron of passion, a lust for power and revenge that drives every action Michael undertakes....
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