Brother Love (Neil Diamond)

NAME/ORIGIN

Character name
Brother Love
Song/Album
"Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show"/ (album has same title)
Act
Neil Diamond
Writer
Neil Diamond
Release Date
1969


ABILITIES

Powers
Cause earthquakes with voice
"Starting soft and slow, like a small earthquake
And when he lets go, half the valley shakes"
Skills
-deep familiarity with Scriptures (speculative)
-knows how to work a crowd
Attributes
grabs attention with his intensity, then works up steam to a crescendo
Vulnerabilities
Is less comfortable in cities and around established churches
Formidability
Effect is localized. At most, half the valley shakes
Attractiveness
Extremely charismatic:
"Everyone goes, 'cause everyone knows Brother Love's show"
"Every ear in the place is on him"
"Wake up the babies and grab the old ladies and everyone goes"
Source
Faith (speculative)
Goals
To gain acolytes (and monetary sustenance) through preaching


POSSESSIONS

Weapons
N/A
Amulets
religious objects-- crosses, Bibles, etc. 
Objects
Podium? (no microphone needed)
Clothing
N/A
Vehicles
Something big enough to haul a tent that seats 100 in
Dwelling
travels
Milieu
"A ragged tent" "up the road" on "the outside of town"


BIOGRAPHY

Gender
Male
Age
N/A
Physique
N/A. Has "eyes black as coal"
Ethnicity
N/A. Likely white or black
Origin
N/A
Ancestry
N/A
Profession
preacher
Education
N/A but is educated, if self-taught
SES
N/A. The "ragged" tent may be a ruse to lure donations
Relationships
Is accompanied by a "gospel group"
Pets
N/A


PERSONALITY

Morality
Moral. His gospel is of helping one's fellow and putting one's faith in God.
Intro/extrovert
Extreme extrovert. May be guarded in private
Intelligence
High
Emotions
May seem effusive in preaching but is likely entirely in control.
Sanity
Sane
Enemies
Atheists? Local preachers whose pews are empty the Sunday he's in town? 


Narrative Function
Protagonist
Other Notes
It would be easy to dismiss Brother Love as a charlatan, praying on people's faith and weakness for money, but it seems his motivations are genuine. And, as he provides something of value, and has an entourage to feed, doesn't he deserve to make a buck or two? 


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