The Statue of Liberty has always stood as a beacon of
hope, welcoming immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, promising the start of
what has been billed as “The American Dream.” The allure of America is often
much stronger and much bigger than the reality of most immigrant experiences. The Godfather Part II uses that image to
signal the beginning of the rise of the Corleone crime family, one partially
realized promise of the American Dream. Vito wanted his son to be a legitimate
businessman, but once ensconced in that world of crime, Michael finds it
increasingly difficult to extricate himself. The Corleone family success
crumbles to pieces by the end of that movie, Michael sitting alone, full of
money and power, but bereft of family connection.
