Can somebody explain to me what is soo sacred about the wedding day of his daughters, that the Don cannot refuse anything? I've tried to educate myself a bit better about it but I'm still unclear apart from the fact that this day is a most scared day.

Hi, I'm guessing it's more of a tradition than anything else. Remember, the Don refused to grant the Undertaker's request to have his daughter's attacker's killed, because she was still alive and that was not justice. They compromised that the Don would arrange to have them "suffer", like she did. Also, note the comparison to opening scenes of GF 2, where Michael was granting audiences the day of his son's First Communion celebration.

The wedding's importance is symbolic of Cosa Nostra, and of Sicily. They simply embodied it at the Corleone residence that day in 1945. I've attended and eaten at several Italian weddings, the most recent was two years ago in Toronto. They havent changed much, still alot of food, dancing, singing.

I think that the Sicilians consider weddings a divine setting. It's where a new family, which is another thing they consider sacred, is created. Therefore, when the father of the bride is sure that he had fulfilled his job (about securing his daughter until she starts a new family), he is expected to celebrate. Thus, the audience-granting of wishes...It is culture.

Nancy,
You are correct in guessing that it is a tradition. It is actually an old Scicilian tradition that was practiced mnay years ago in Sicily. A father would never refuse a "reasonable" request on his duaghters wedding day. If he did, I believe that it would spell bad luck for the marriage! Heck, maybe The Don's refusal to Kill for Bonasera turned into bad luck for Connie's marriage! Just an after thought on my part. Never actually looked at it that way before! Old Italian Superstition!

Don Cardi

Killing someone isn't such a reasonable request though is it.

"After all we're not murderers"

Turi,
The Don considered this request by Bonasera an unreasonable request because Bonasera's daughter was not killed, therefore The Don would not have these men killed. Had Bonasera's daughter been killed, then I think that the Don would have not had a problem carrying out Bonasera's request to have these men killed.

Don Cardi

Exactly so it wouldn't cause any bad luck on the marriage because its an unreasonable request. Thats what I meant the first time.

What I never understood was why the Don would never intercede, even when he KNEW that Connie was being beaten by Carlo. I would think that knowing this would open full rage of the Dons anger.

"The" Groin

The Don was very traditional. He felt it wasn't his resposibility to interfere with Connie and Carlo. He also felt that if Connie was being beaten it was probably her fault.

When Connie asked if Vito had ever beaten her mother, Vito replies with...."I never had any reason to"

I wondered why Vito didn't involve himself with Connie and Carlo, even though he was a traditional man.It is suggested that he doesn't really trust or approve of Carlo as he tells Hagen to give him a living but nothing more (This being one of the things that sparks Carlo's resentment).
Therefore, knowing his beloved, pregnant daughter was being beaten by a man he didn't really like all that much must have got to him. Sonny's reaction was more 'normal' in that he disregarded tradition and tried to help his little sister. True, she could be a pain in the rear at times, but come on!
Also, if he had got involved it could have avoided the death of Sonny. No need to go steaming along the causeway 'coz there's no more Carlo and Connie's safely in the compound?

Where is it evident that Don Vito even KNEW that Carlo had beaten Connie? After all, it was Sonny alone who discovered the "first" beating, Connie begged him not to do anything, he mentioned getting her to a doctor & then beat the crap out of Carlo. The beating could have easily been hidden from Connie's parents.
As for Vito involving himself more w/ the Connie/Carlo marriage, that's not what this story is about. Women have no place in the "business", and neither do their husbands, which is why the Don graciously provided Carlo a living, but nothing more. If Carlo married into the family only to become one of the "boys" (which I think he did), then he was out of luck, and it was just another indication of how stupid he was.
Nancey

that's the way it is in the book. It's Carlo's thuoghts about half-way throuhg.

Yes, I realized after sending that post that I was in the "Novel" forum. I was referring to the film, which obviously doesn't go into quite the same detail.
Sorry folks, I'll have to be more careful about that in the future...
Nancey