Perspective

Henry Hill is the main subject of Wiseguy, and the story is predominantly told through his perspective. Henry's first-person narration is couched in the context provided by Nicholas Pileggi, which provides a subtle counterpoint to Henry's point of view. Henry Hill is a huge fan of the mafia and the wiseguy lifestyle. His words express his glee over living a life devoid of responsibility or consequence. Henry is the ultimate Peter Pan: a little boy in a man's body. Henry believes he is entitled to luxury, wealth, and control, and does not believe in paying dues of any kind to society. He is encouraged from a young age to take advantage of the honest workingmen who keep the wheels of civilization turning. Henry's justification for his selfish behavior is that he can get away with it, so why shouldn't he? The word accountability is not in his vocabulary...