Wow! This is a good discussion and it is helping me understand. I have read the novel several times and seen the movie countless times, and again, this message board is really helpful for me, a Corleone.

Thanks so much

And I look forward to continuing these lines of discussion.

Also, I do not believe that Rocco had anything to do with the assasination attempt. It is not really his character, and in the novel, his promotion with Clemenza and killing Paulie, was his devotion and loyalty to the Corleone family.

Although he was killed by the police when he killed Hyman Roth, I feel that he was incurably sick (why not? he was older than Paulie in the novel, but not as old as his peer Clemenza) and offered his life for the vengeance of Michael.

Any thoughts?