The Great Debaters
Like others films based on true stories I have analyzed, The Great Debaters
focuses on three main characters with mind, body, and spirit
characteristics. This illustrates how prominent these characteristics
are in storytelling, whether the story is purely fiction or based in
fact.
In my workshops, I emphasize three things when it comes to using mind, body, and spirit symbolism in character development. First is the character's introduction. I had one attendee ask if she was being too 'obvious' as to her character's type in her introductory description. I referred her back to the initial character descriptions in The Three Musketeers to show that it is better to be 'obvious' when it comes to describing your mind, body, or spirit characters.
The second thing I emphasize is characters reactions to conflict. Each character type has their own unique way of dealing with conflict. Finally, I emphasize character's interactions with each other. These interactions are what create the resonance that is so powerful when it comes to using mind, body, and spirit symbolism in your writing.
The Great Debaters is a good case study in all three areas.
Henry Lowe (Body) - Henry (Nate Parker) is introduced hitting on a young lady at a party. He offers her a drink from his own personal flask and leans in to kiss her. When her husband shows up (a fact he never asked about and she never mentioned) he fights him, even though his opponent is much larger and is armed with a knife.
Samantha Booke (Spirit) - Samantha (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) is first seen riding the bus into town, watching the poor people living in tent communities along the roadside through her window. Her expressions show she is both appalled by the conditions and concerned for their well-being. We later find out she is an idealist and wants to become an attorney to fight against such injustices in society.
James Farmer, Jr. (Mind) - James (Denzel Whitaker) first appears in a college assembly, listening to the college president (his father) giving a lecture/sermon about "putting aside childish things." Shortly afterward, we discover James is a student at the college, even though he is only 14 years old.
In a key scene in the movie, all three characters, along with their teacher, witness a lynching and are chased by a vicious mob. Each character deals with the situation in a way consistent with their character type.
Henry - Goes out to a club. When he gets back to the dorm, he is visibly drunk and is pawing over a woman he apparently met while he was out.
Samantha - Wants comfort. She and Henry have recently begun a relationship by the time this incident occurs. When she sees Henry with another woman, she leaves the team and returns to school.
James - Wonders "why?" He tries to come up with a logical explanation as to why the man was lynched. Henry has to explain that there was no reason other than the fact the man was black.
When preparing for the final debate against Harvard, all three characters must work together to develop their arguments and strategy for the upcoming challenge. In this scene, the three characters argue over whether to start the debate with an example from Gandhi.
Henry - Asserts his authority. Their professor placed him in charge, so he wants to run things his way. Henry doesn't think starting with the 'obvious' is prudent. His argument soon devolves into calling James a "kid" and saying "to hell" with both of them. When his authority is challenged, he runs away.
Samantha - Tries to find a middle ground and argues from an emotional standpoint. Samantha thinks starting the debate with Gandhi would be 'strong,' but is more concerned that the argument isn't getting the group anywhere. When Henry leaves, her response is an emphatic, "See if I care!"
James - Argues from logic. He believes the Gandhi example the 'obvious' way to begin their argument. To him, Henry's disagreement is illogical, and therefore wrong. When Henry leaves, his response is a comparatively reserved, "He's coming back, isn't he?"
In my workshops, I emphasize three things when it comes to using mind, body, and spirit symbolism in character development. First is the character's introduction. I had one attendee ask if she was being too 'obvious' as to her character's type in her introductory description. I referred her back to the initial character descriptions in The Three Musketeers to show that it is better to be 'obvious' when it comes to describing your mind, body, or spirit characters.
The second thing I emphasize is characters reactions to conflict. Each character type has their own unique way of dealing with conflict. Finally, I emphasize character's interactions with each other. These interactions are what create the resonance that is so powerful when it comes to using mind, body, and spirit symbolism in your writing.
The Great Debaters is a good case study in all three areas.
Character Introductions:
Henry Lowe (Body) - Henry (Nate Parker) is introduced hitting on a young lady at a party. He offers her a drink from his own personal flask and leans in to kiss her. When her husband shows up (a fact he never asked about and she never mentioned) he fights him, even though his opponent is much larger and is armed with a knife.
Samantha Booke (Spirit) - Samantha (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) is first seen riding the bus into town, watching the poor people living in tent communities along the roadside through her window. Her expressions show she is both appalled by the conditions and concerned for their well-being. We later find out she is an idealist and wants to become an attorney to fight against such injustices in society.
James Farmer, Jr. (Mind) - James (Denzel Whitaker) first appears in a college assembly, listening to the college president (his father) giving a lecture/sermon about "putting aside childish things." Shortly afterward, we discover James is a student at the college, even though he is only 14 years old.
Reaction to Conflict:
In a key scene in the movie, all three characters, along with their teacher, witness a lynching and are chased by a vicious mob. Each character deals with the situation in a way consistent with their character type.
Henry - Goes out to a club. When he gets back to the dorm, he is visibly drunk and is pawing over a woman he apparently met while he was out.
Samantha - Wants comfort. She and Henry have recently begun a relationship by the time this incident occurs. When she sees Henry with another woman, she leaves the team and returns to school.
James - Wonders "why?" He tries to come up with a logical explanation as to why the man was lynched. Henry has to explain that there was no reason other than the fact the man was black.
Character Interactions:
When preparing for the final debate against Harvard, all three characters must work together to develop their arguments and strategy for the upcoming challenge. In this scene, the three characters argue over whether to start the debate with an example from Gandhi.
Henry - Asserts his authority. Their professor placed him in charge, so he wants to run things his way. Henry doesn't think starting with the 'obvious' is prudent. His argument soon devolves into calling James a "kid" and saying "to hell" with both of them. When his authority is challenged, he runs away.
Samantha - Tries to find a middle ground and argues from an emotional standpoint. Samantha thinks starting the debate with Gandhi would be 'strong,' but is more concerned that the argument isn't getting the group anywhere. When Henry leaves, her response is an emphatic, "See if I care!"
James - Argues from logic. He believes the Gandhi example the 'obvious' way to begin their argument. To him, Henry's disagreement is illogical, and therefore wrong. When Henry leaves, his response is a comparatively reserved, "He's coming back, isn't he?"
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