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Power does not necessarily corrupt leaders, but when used well, it can be beneficial to the society. The novels The Godfather by Mario Puzo and The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux illustrate a unique and unconventional style of using power to benefit mankind. The characters Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather and Allie Fox in The Mosquito Coast are accepted leaders within their own community. Also, they represent a charismatic figure and in some ways can be compared to real-life leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

In both novels, the protagonists undergo personal development as they rise to power. In the novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo, the character Don Corleone is worshipped by his community. The author Puzo introduces initially a character named Vito Corleone, who becomes the Don and later known as the Godfather to the people. Vito Corleone rises to power when he plans to kill Fanucci, a member of a mafia group called “Black Hand”. Fanucci prohibited him and his friends for starting a business at his neighbourhood. For Fanucci, if anyone was selling goods in his neighbourhood, he would warn you to stop this business. However, Vito is able to smartly kill Fannuci with a plan. After the death, Vito is granted the throne to become the Don in the neighbourhood and people asked him favours to be done. At one situation, Signora Colombo comes to Vito Corleone for a favour because the landlord wants her out of the apartment, due to a noisy dog. In this example, Signora Colombo asks “I want you to speak to the landlord to let me stay.” (Puzo, Pg 197). So, Don accepts and speaks to the landlord and is able to make Signora Colombo stay at the apartment. By helping Signora Colombo, he became known as Don Vito Corleone, a man in power willing to help the community. The previous man named Fanucci was shown to be dictating terms to the neighbourhood, but the Don Vito Corleone is shown to be considerate to the neighbourhood. Throughout the book, it...