The Godfather: Motif of the Car (Repetition of Symbol)

1. Denotations of Cars

1.1. Machine

1.2. Expensive

1.3. One driver

1.4. Gets you places

1.5. Fast

1.6. Private

1.7. Internal combustion engine

1.8. Runs on gasoline

2. Connotations of Cars

2.1. Wealth

2.2. Freedom

2.3. Success

2.4. Masculinity

2.5. Choice

2.6. Innovation

3. Deaths in Cars

3.1. Paulie Executed by Clemenza

3.2. Sonny Shot on Causeway

3.3. Apollonia Blown Up

3.4. Carlo Strangled in Moving Car

4. Other Car Appearances

4.1. Michael Teaches Apollonia to Drive

4.2. "Oh that was an accident, but no one was hurt"

4.3. Michael taken to meeting with McCluskey and Sollozzo in a car

4.4. Fredo: "I'll go get the car, Pop."

4.5. Gunmen pass by hospital in a darkened car

4.6. Vito reveals "It was Barzini all along" in a car

4.7. Tessio Put In Car by Tom Hagen (to be whacked)

5. Symbolic Value: Independence, Power, and Success

6. IRONY: PEOPLE REPEATEDLY (AND SUDDENLY) DIE IN A SYMBOL OF INDEPENDENCE, SUCCESS, AND POWER

7. THEME: Often, the signs of our security and power contain the source of our downfall.

7.1. REVISED THEME: Cliche Alert! Money is the root of all evil.

7.2. REVISED THEME: The need to acquire the outward markers of success can blind us to the dangers they contain.