Brains, Brawn, and Bravado

Most philosophers and theologians believe man is more than just a mass of matter, an automaton driven by a double-helix molecule passed down through reproduction generation after generation. They believe people have invisible, unknowable, ethereal, and/or spiritual elements. While they may disagree as to what these elements are or how they work, they tend to agree that they exist. Only the bleakest philosophies deny their existence.

When our entertainment reflects this split nature, it resonates in a way that makes it enjoyable, intriguing, or captivating. The body, mind, and spirit are often depicted in literature and film as separate characters, and when these characters face the same kind of struggles externally that we face internally, we tend to be attracted to it and are far more likely to relate to it.

The Mind (Brains)

The mind functions at a higher level than the body. Whether it's called the "mind," the "soul," or some other name, this part is responsible for logic and decision-making. Most believe the mind to be somehow connected to the brain, although still separate from the brain. The mind tries to make things make sense.

In literature and film, the mind character typically has qualities like these:

Represents logic and thinking
Is cool and has a low emotional component (think Spock)
Holds others back; more apt to think and plan than act
Decisions based on facts and deductive reasoning
Gives great regard to rules and standards
Concerned with doing what is smart

The Body (Brawn)

The most basic part of a person is the physical being. In addition to the matter itself, the body includes the autonomic functions and "primal" urges. The body is driven to food, sex, "fight or flight," and other actions responsible for a Darwinian existence.

The body character in literature and film typically has many the following characteristics:

Driven toward self-fulfillment
May be focused on food, sex, money (‘wine, women, and song’)
Most likely to join a fight
May be focused on vanity (fitness, beauty, strength, etc.)
May be concerned with the body itself (doctor, coroner, mortician, etc.)
Concerned with doing what is profitable (not just monetarily)

The Spirit (Bravado)

The spirit, which has been called the "soul" or "heart" or other names, is responsible for the feeling or emotional portion of existence. Most consider it to be somehow connected to the heart, although still separate from the heart. Some emotions, like fear, are wrapped up in the body portion of our existence, because they originate in the "lizard brain." Emotions like love, hate, passion, apathy, jealousy, etc. originate in the spirit portion of existence.

Literary spirit characters tend to have many of these characteristics: