Consider: the original Star Wars trilogy is about integrating the three so-called “ego-syntonic” functions of the psyche…

Star Wars (a.k.a. Episode IV: A New Hope) details the integration of the auxiliary function, symbolised by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ne).

The Empire Strikes Back gives us the positive depiction of the tertiary function and its role as a source of healing and retreat. Hoth, the Bacta tank, Dagobah and Yoda (Si) all symbolise this function’s role. Note that in Star Wars, this function is treated more negatively–it is only by integrating the auxiliary first that you can maturely handle the powers of the tertiary.

Return of the Jedi turns to the inferior function, represented by Leia and Endor (Fe). By learning of the true nature of his relationship to Leia, Luke is able to integrate his inferior function into consciousness.

26 years after first watching Star Wars (and 21 years after seeing the whole trilogy), these films still bowl me over with their insights.

The Anima (femininity) in Brazil is an interesting case. Quite obviously, this archetype is symbolised by Sam’s dream girl, but more importantly, this is not Jill — Jill is the rather tom-boyish truck driver, not the long-haired beauty floating in the air.

The Anima/Animus for ENTPs (like Terry Gilliam) is Introverted Sensation (Si), which is the function of stability and security. Si orients us toward a simpler life — think of the hobbits in The Lord of the Rings, say.

How does the Anima in Brazil symbolise Si? For the most part, she’s so archetypal that she’s personality-free, but there’s one key sequence that gives us a degree of insight…

SPOILERS TO FOLLOW!!!

The final dream sequence has Jill as the Anima, since this is more about Sam’s fantasy of who Jill is than Jill herself. And what is Sam’s conception of the perfect life with his dream girl? A nice, quiet, simple farm-life in the country (i.e. an idealised Si existence). This is the soul of ENTPs.

Next: The Opposing Personality as Introverted iNtuition (Ni)…