Godfather Death

Most parents would care about their kids enough to take care of them. Well in the story “Godfather Death” everything is the total opposite. This short story is a irony with many symbols that are very intriguing.


Ironies are stories that are unrealistic and end in death or death symbolism; that is the main theme of this short story. In the beginning it starts in a chaotic mood with the man having thirteen children. Then the father gives his 13 kids to random people on the street which makes this unrealistic. Surprisingly enough he gives the 13th kid to Death, the kid grows up and becomes a doctor. Next the doctor uses his relationship with death to keep his friend alive. Death gets a little bit mad and warns the doctor that the next time he does that he will pay for it with his neck. Later on in the story the doctor decides to betray death again, which was not a good idea. Death decides to kill his godson because he has betrayed him yet again. This makes the ending of the story death, which also proves that the short story “Godfather Death” a irony.


Symbols are parts of a story that show meaning. In the story “Godfather Death” there are many important symbols. One of the many symbols that I have found in the short story are chairs. Chairs in the story is a form of isolation. In many situations the chairs are like throne. This is a symbol of control, the godfather has all of the control in this situation. Another symbol is the window, in the short story the window for Vito is looking into the window seeing something that he can’t have. This is a symbol of depression and thinking that you are not good enough when you truly are.


“Godfather death” is a irony with many symbols. Having a godfather that is death is probably a huge struggle. I feel bad for the kid in this situation he has nothing that he can hold on to and trust. With death all he can do is obey and if he doesn’t he would pay for it with his life, which is what ends up happening. Remember that if you are like the guy that has the 13 kids, don’t give your kids away to random people on the street. Or they might end up getting killed by their potential godfather.