After watching the Godfather part 1, and discussing different themes. I have now been able to notice many different themes and literary features in the second movie as well. In the Godfather the symbols of doors, and the themes of males superior to women as well as separation between the mafia life and normal life is hard to decipher although after going on an in depth look for these themes, symbols and motifs in the first movie made it a lot easier to find these techniques in the second movie.
The first theme that was very much present was the startling transitions from darkness and quiet within the mafia, to cheerful, bright and welcoming scenes outside of the mafia life. This showed the difference between the private and public worlds. Francis Ford Coppola constantly shot many scenes with shooting and jaw dropping scenes. As soon as something major happened the scene would quickly change to a more civilized and calmer environment outside the mafia, or to a more exciting party like scene. From these transitions I believe that Coppola wanted the audience to see that sense of disconnection between the mafia life and normal life.
Another theme that was present throughout the second movie as much as the first was the reoccurring symbol of doors.This relates to my last point about the transitions from the mafia life to normal lives. One of the most prominent recurring themes in the series is the dichotomy between the Godfather’s business and family life. Throughout the second film we see the new Godfather's aforementioned darkened office, the divide between the interior and exterior lives of Don Corleone is established both through the symbol of the closed door, as well as windows and glass. This symbol not only showed the disconnection between the characters but also made the audience feel that disconnection. This was symbolized through the visual motif of a door or window blocking people out, usually the women in the family, who are not allowed to know of the illegal affairs that go on behind closed doors.
Males were superior to women in the first movie, and from what I have seen from the second movie that is still a frequent theme. Almost every time a door was shut, it was shut on a women. I think that Francis Ford Coppola chose to have the door shut on women instead of men because this represents how the men are superior to women. Just like the last movie Michael had to keep a lot of information from Kay and from the looks of it that is still present in the second film. These are only some of many themes and symbols that Francis Ford Coppola wanted to convey in the second film.
