The Sicilian By Mario Puzo: Character Analysis

The Sicilian is a book that delves deep into understanding the character of a stereotypical Sicilian. Written by Mario Puzo’ The Sicilian tells the story of a man and how he turned into the ultimate siciliano. The story of Turi Guiliano talks about his growth from a young adult farmer to a notorious robin hood like character. The book slowly builds his character through a series of events and brings it down to a realization of his closest acquaintance. Which leads to the untimely demise of the protagonist, Guiliano. Throughout the book, he is idolized by masses and is given a godly status due to his looks charisma and his patriotism towards his country. He is loved by all Sicilians and is prized by his mother. He stole from the rich and gave

At a young age, Guiliano showed promise and attracted attention, unlike other Sicilians he was kind and honest. Among his friends he always stood out and was praised for his greek like features by people. His closest friend Aspanu Priscotta was his opposite; a pure Sicilian with a sickly look who believed in his own benefit above others. Throughout the book Turi is regarded to as a hero; “the ultimate siciliano”. Puzo doesn’t hesitate in giving this title to Guiliano which doesn’t match his character whatsoever. Further in the book, once he becomes a bandit Guiliano is praised once again being called the ultimate siciliano by his town members. Puzo gives the definition of Sicilian many times through ought the book and at one point he clearly stated Guiliano was not like any Sicilian he wasn’t held back by laws. “That the laws of society, the stricter Sicilian laws of family could no longer bind him. That he was free to commit any act; that his bloody wound made him innocent. And all this because a foolish carabinieri had shot him over a piece of cheese.”(pg 135). Guiliano changed after this major event some of the aspects of his character that were Sicilian now reflected a changed Turi Guiliano. This major event caused a development of his character which made him more Sicilian yet not the ideal