I, Robot
The ideas that run through Isaac Asimov's collection of short
stories, "I, Robot," were put together to make a movie of the same name,
starring Will Smith. Like most science fiction, the differences between
the mind, body, and spirit characters are stark. Also like most science
fiction, the mind, body, and spirit characters in "I, Robot" work
together to solve a problem (many times, the problem has to do with
saving the world or universe). Contrast that with works like "The Three
Musketeers," where the mind, body, and spirit characters work to change
another character. When you write mind, body, and spirit characters,
remember that there may be some expectation in the genre in which you
write.
"I,Robot," was released in 2004. Some of the material here might be considered "spoiler" to some, especially in the body character section, which I have saved for last. You've been informed.
Detective Spooner's life is centered on relationships and emotional attachment. He is close to his grandmother and his instincts are to protect her where robots are involved. He is also close to a young punk to whom he has become a mentor. Robots, though, are the last things to which Del Spooner wants to be close. He has a negative emotional relationship with them for what many consider an irrational reason.
When Spooner meets Dr. Calvin, his spirit characteristics are even more clear. Where Calvin sees efficiency, Spooner sees insanity. He remarks, "Robots building robots; now that's just stupid."
Other characters remark about his spirit character. The Lt. tells Spooner, "You're living proof that it's better to be lucky than smart." Other cops talk behind his back, and when he's had enough, he shouts, "Do I look like I care what you think?"
Spooner is also less interested in facts than getting things done. When the robot, Sonny, tells Spooner how many steps they will have to climb, he replies, "Do me a favor - Keep that kind of sh** to yourself."
Susan Calvin is portrayed as all mind. She has no human relationships other than employer-employee. She has no emotional response to Dr. Lanning's apparent suicide. When Spooner asks if Lanning had been suicidal, her response is, "It would seem the answer to that question is apparent." Spooner clarifies and asks if he seemed suicidal recently, and she replies, "No, I wouldn't have thought so, but obviously I was wrong."
When Spooner uses sarcasm, Calvin doesn't understand and has to ask if he was trying to be funny. When Spooner asks what she does, she goes into a long, technical description of her job. He asks again, so she simplifies by telling him she makes the robots seem more human. Spooner responds by asking if it was easier to explain it the simplified way, and she says it wasn't. To her, both say the same thing, so one is no easier than the other.
Lanning leaves behind a copy of "Hansel and Gretel," which Spooner immediately takes as a clue, but which confuses Calvin. She does not understand the analogy. To her, if you want to say something, you should say it directly. Analogies are inefficient.
Sonny exhibits strength, agility, and speed before he has any meaningful communication with another character. Later, Sonny discovers the alloys in his body are denser than the others of his kind.
Sonny finds emotions to be "difficult," and the ones he does have seem to revolve around self-preservation. He is afraid of death and asks if it will hurt to die.
Sonny also recognizes that he lacks a certain portion of humanity necessary for artistic creation. When drawing a picture of his "dream," he casually states he could never create a work of art. Sonny's role is to use his strength, speed, and agility in the places where other characters are lacking, but he also knows where he lacks certain abilities and lets the other characters use their strengths when it is necessary.
"I,Robot," was released in 2004. Some of the material here might be considered "spoiler" to some, especially in the body character section, which I have saved for last. You've been informed.
The Spirit Character: Del Spooner (Will Smith)
Detective Spooner's life is centered on relationships and emotional attachment. He is close to his grandmother and his instincts are to protect her where robots are involved. He is also close to a young punk to whom he has become a mentor. Robots, though, are the last things to which Del Spooner wants to be close. He has a negative emotional relationship with them for what many consider an irrational reason.
When Spooner meets Dr. Calvin, his spirit characteristics are even more clear. Where Calvin sees efficiency, Spooner sees insanity. He remarks, "Robots building robots; now that's just stupid."
Other characters remark about his spirit character. The Lt. tells Spooner, "You're living proof that it's better to be lucky than smart." Other cops talk behind his back, and when he's had enough, he shouts, "Do I look like I care what you think?"
Spooner is also less interested in facts than getting things done. When the robot, Sonny, tells Spooner how many steps they will have to climb, he replies, "Do me a favor - Keep that kind of sh** to yourself."
The Mind Character: Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynahan)
Susan Calvin is portrayed as all mind. She has no human relationships other than employer-employee. She has no emotional response to Dr. Lanning's apparent suicide. When Spooner asks if Lanning had been suicidal, her response is, "It would seem the answer to that question is apparent." Spooner clarifies and asks if he seemed suicidal recently, and she replies, "No, I wouldn't have thought so, but obviously I was wrong."
When Spooner uses sarcasm, Calvin doesn't understand and has to ask if he was trying to be funny. When Spooner asks what she does, she goes into a long, technical description of her job. He asks again, so she simplifies by telling him she makes the robots seem more human. Spooner responds by asking if it was easier to explain it the simplified way, and she says it wasn't. To her, both say the same thing, so one is no easier than the other.
Lanning leaves behind a copy of "Hansel and Gretel," which Spooner immediately takes as a clue, but which confuses Calvin. She does not understand the analogy. To her, if you want to say something, you should say it directly. Analogies are inefficient.
The Body Character: Sonny (Alan Tudyk)
Sonny exhibits strength, agility, and speed before he has any meaningful communication with another character. Later, Sonny discovers the alloys in his body are denser than the others of his kind.
Sonny finds emotions to be "difficult," and the ones he does have seem to revolve around self-preservation. He is afraid of death and asks if it will hurt to die.
Sonny also recognizes that he lacks a certain portion of humanity necessary for artistic creation. When drawing a picture of his "dream," he casually states he could never create a work of art. Sonny's role is to use his strength, speed, and agility in the places where other characters are lacking, but he also knows where he lacks certain abilities and lets the other characters use their strengths when it is necessary.
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