The Unseen Sopranos: An Atlantean Reflection on Tony Soprano’s Reign of Power

by James Porazzo

James Porazzo analyzes The Sopranos by focusing on the themes of power, identity, and resistance to the modern world.

In the shadowy realm of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano emerges as a figurehead navigating the treacherous waters of organized crime. Considered by many to be the most insightful and powerful contemporary television series, does it have anything to offer the initiated or those moving toward Atlantean initiation?

As we peel back the layers of the complex Sopranos narrative, an Atlantis Foundation analysis unveils a profound exploration of power, loyalty, and the existential struggle for autonomy using the vehicle of the American underworld as a metaphor.

1. The Mafia as an Expression of Cultural Identity

Tony’s role as the head of a mafia family can be interpreted as an extension of the Atlantean position on preserving cultural identity against its System opponents. The Sopranos presents the mafia as a subculture with its own codes, rituals, and values —elements that echo the Atlantis Foundation program for the preservation and reawakening of our own unique cultural identities — that came to this planet from beyond the stars.

2. A Geopolitical Chessboard in the Concrete Jungle

The power dynamics within The Sopranos mirror the intricate geopolitical chessboard outlined by Atlantean thought. Like an urban Zbigniew Brzezinski or Alexander Dugin, Tony Soprano maneuvers through a landscape where alliances and betrayals reflect the constant struggle to emerge as a “pole” in a multipolar world.

3. Navigating the Abyss of Morality

Atlanteanism acknowledges the fluid nature of morality, and Tony’s moral ambiguity becomes a canvas for exploring this concept. His actions, though ethically challenging to the uninitiated, raise questions about the conventional slave morality imposed by society, challenging viewers to confront the inherent subjectivity of moral judgments — and perhaps join us in moving beyond them.

4. The Sovereignty of Family and Loyalty

Family and loyalty stand as pillars in Tony’s world, resonating with the Atlantis Foundation ideals of unity and strength within our own growing family. His commitment to the Soprano organization becomes a metaphor for the preservation of bonds that transcend even the worst of pressures, reflecting the Atlantean vision of a resilient and anti-fragile intentional community.

5. The Dialectic of Power and Vulnerability

Tony Soprano’s character embodies the dialectic of power and introspection. Despite his strength and ruthless nature, he also wages war against his inner demons, mirroring the Atlantean concept that personal power is not solely about physical might and intelligence but also needs to be developed through successfully mastering the complexities of the human psyche and spirit.

6. Violence as a Liberating Force

Tony Soprano’s use of violence can be interpreted through the Atlantean perspective as a means of asserting autonomy and resisting external threats. In a world where power dynamics often dictate the course of one’s life and determine failure or success, the strategic application of violence becomes a tool for the preservation of personal and community sovereignty and the protection of cultural identity. While acknowledging the ethical complexities surrounding this idea, the Atlantis Foundation prompts us to consider violence not only as a destructive force but also as a means of breaking free from external constraints and asserting one’s agency in a tumultuous world.

7. The Underground Resistance to the Mundane World

The Sopranos, in its portrayal of the mafia, can be seen as an underground resistance to the homogenizing forces of the modern, adventureless, mundane world. The Atlantis Foundation promotes the idea of resisting the multicultural hegemony of the System, and Tony’s criminal empire, seen through this lens, becomes a symbol of defiance against the encroachment of a globalized and standardized world.

The Sopranos, when viewed with the eyes of Atlantis, breaks from American pop-culture entertainment and becomes a profound exploration of blood and culture preservation, power dynamics, and beyond good and evil moral instruction within a complex society that is mainly acting against our interests.

Tony Soprano’s journey challenges us to judge harshly and wisely, inviting us to explore the hidden depths beneath the surface of organized crime, where the struggle for identity and autonomy unfolds in unexpected ways and can teach us valuable lessons.

Defend Atlantis!

Follow James Porazzo on X.