Originally posted by SC:
I apparently missed those clues.... what/where were they?
When you combine elements from both the original novel (ON) (where Puzo obsesses big time over Santino's "massive organ," but that's for another thread) and the film, the seeds are well planted. Let's take it in narrative order, shall we?
From the ON, let's look at Puzo's intro to the character...
DUTIFUL, LOYAL, always at the service of his father, living with his parents at age thirty... Inclined to dourness, he was still a crutch to his father, NEVER DISPUTED HIM, never embarrassed him by SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR WITH WOMEN.
{emphasis added}
Now before you get your shizzle in a tizzle, understand what info we're given at this point: you've got a guy who's devoted to his father but unhappy, or more than likely, frustrated about something (we don't know what). We also know that he's not getting laid (by women at least), though I grant you it's possible that he gets his fair share every now and then; because we're only told that he avoids *scandalous behavior*, and other than the Don being straitlaced about matters of intimacy, we really don't know what HE considers scandalous.
The second hint is the fact that Fredo really likes Paulie Gatto. Now, on the surface, it seems like of no circumstance: he thinks Paulie's a good kid, end of discussion, right?
OK... except that... you've gotta look at the context (always important). Now, we just got finished hearing about Freddie's devotion and unquestioning loyalty to his Papa--keep your eye on that. The ONE time that he feels the need to part company is when? When Vito wonders aloud if, perhaps, Paulie (whose attendance had become rather dismal) needs to be canned as the driver (now they're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker says, so chances are Mr. Gatto would be reassigned). In fact, we find out later that Vito isn't the only one who's dubious about this guy; Clemenza volunteers to find someone for the job but who nixes that? Fredo. I mean, Mike always thought the kid was nice but I wouldn't picture Mike going to bat for him the Fredo does. But I digress; the question is why would Fredo feel so devoted to this low-level errand boy UNLESS he had a crush on him, albeit unrequited (or requited, Puzo doesn't say,
)?
I got so much more on this but I'll let you digest this first (I have Tums and Bromo handy, just in case
).
