Impact of Religion and Crime in the Lives of Italian-Americans

IMPACT OF RELIGION AND CRIME IN THE LIVES OF ITALIAN-AMERICANS 1
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Impact of religion and crime in the lives of Italian-Americans
Religion and crime are highly influential in the lives of Italian-Americans. This paper
will focus on the two elements and their effects on the Italian-Americans. Based on the text
Christ in Concrete, religion has been deduced as a significant factor. This can be attributed to the
fact that the dominant Italian immigrant society practiced Christianity religion (catholic). The
protagonist of the novel, Paul di Donato, was at first a staunch believer. However, due to the fact
that faith could not solve his needs or revive his deceased father, he lost faith in religion
eventually (Tamburri ,10, p. 10). He challenges the capacity of religion to provide a practical
solution to people’s needs. Paul was born into a poor family which had many struggles. His
father, the breadwinner, died while on duty as a bricklayer. After his father’s demise, Paul was
forced to step up and take care of his siblings and his mother. Just like his father, he becomes a
bricklayer and experiences the harsh conditions surrounding the job. Even though Paul is bright,
he cannot afford to pay for his education since the little income he receives from the job is meant
for the family expenses. Later, Paul gets a better job opportunity in a skyscraper and is very
pleased. Nonetheless, Paul is disappointed with the fact that his loved ones either died or got
injured at their workplace and his faith could not provide a remedy to these undertakings. This is
the sole reason why Paul decides to quit religion because it does not offer a solution his needs.
Additionally, religion has also been incorporated in the text Paper Fish by Tina De Rosa.
The novel portrays the poor lives of immigrant natives. It tells the story of a multicultural young

IMPACT OF RELIGION AND CRIME IN THE LIVES OF ITALIAN-AMERICANS 2
couple where the man is an Italian American police officer while the woman is Lithuanian (Bona
2018, p. 89). The couple lives nearby the house of the husband’s mother-in-law. The latter is a
follower of catholic faith and a believer in superstition. As she practices her religion, she does
not do it exaggeratedly. The story goes on to shed light on what transpired in the family. The
couple had two daughters namely, Doriana and Carmolina. Doriana was very beautiful but was
physically challenged. Carmolina, on the other hand, was totally normal and she loved her sister
dearly. When she finds out that her parents are planning to take Doriana to an institution for
disabled people, she is angered and decides to flee from home. She goes missing for three days
and her family members become very worried. Later on in the novel, Carmolina’s life becomes
tougher due to the death of her father, grandmother, and most of the people in the neighborhood.
As aforementioned, carmolina’s grandmother was a staunch believer and probably Carmolina
inherited the faith and she turned a new leaf.
As aforementioned, crime is another element that has been experienced in the lives of
Italian-Americans. In the film the Goodfellas, Henry Hill is the protagonist and was introduced
to crime at an early age. He lived in a neighborhood full of criminals and together with his
friends, Jimmy Conway and Tommy de Vito, they committed a lot of felonies (Hill, 2017, p. 30).
His friends were more brutal and not afraid to kill anyone if it meant that they would go a notch
higher in crime. Jimmy Conway organized a mafia which was responsible for the major hijacks
and robberies reported in the town. In addition to crime, Henry was an addict of cocaine and a
dealer. Since Jimmy and Tommy were more involved in crime, they got more wealth and Henry
became intimated but could not consider committing murders just like they did in order to get as
rich. The film narrates their lives in crime, describing their rise and fall. The friends were
eventually arrested and imprisoned for some time. When Henry gets released, he desires to live

IMPACT OF RELIGION AND CRIME IN THE LIVES OF ITALIAN-AMERICANS 3
the life of his dreams and goes behind Paul Cicero’s back to get the money. Paul Cicero is the
overall leader of the mob. Through the film, we get to learn of the relationship between henry
and his two friends. At the end, they land in trouble and they try as much as possible to help each
other out and survive the crisis. They are real friends who have each other’s backs at all times
especially when their criminal acts have caught up with them.
The mafia genre has also been outlined in the film The Godfather produced in 1972. The
film narrates the life of the Godfather ‘Don’ Vito Corleone who is in charge of the Corleone
gang syndicate in New York (Graham 2016, p. 2). Don attends the wedding of his beloved
daughter Connie Corleone and his youngest son, Michael, is also present. Michael is a WWII
marine officer and is seemingly not interested in participating in the family business, probably
because it is unlawful. He had just returned home as a hero and wanted to live a peaceful life.
Vito has kind deeds but only to those who respect him and those who do not face his wrath. He
practices the olden way of life which involves protecting the family and the community as well.
However, the old ways are eroding way and being replaced with new ways that do not have a
sense of responsibility. Things take a different turn when Don’s biggest rival Virgil Hollozo
wants to start a drug business in New York. In order to succeed, he needs the influence of Don to
get protection from his mafia family and in return his will compensate him with a share of the
drug money. When he approaches Don concerning the matter, Vito refuses his offer despite the
advice from his attorney Tom Hagen. This is because he firmly opposes the use of drugs. Sollazo
is angered with the rejection and decides to retaliate by ordering his hit men to end the life of the
Don. Vito gets shot down and luckily he manages to survive the attack though he gets seriously
injured. Even though Michael has excluded himself from the business family, he feels the need
to revenge for his father’s attack and he starts an outrageous war against Sollazo. He was