ELIZABETH BENNET, SIX

One of the greatest heroines ever created. She is flawed, which gives her a chance to arc. Because she assumes that Mr. Darcy is the flawed one, the plot also goes through a nice reversal, allowing Elizabeth to change and grow even more. Many film portrayals of Lizzie exist.

Trying to decide her Enneagram number, though, might be tricky. She’s an odd mix. First, she loves Jane unreservedly. She is loyal to her other sisters, but not always kind. She’s quite judgmental of her dear friend Charlotte. And she absolutely rips into Darcy. There’s a mash-up of stinginess and generosity, scorn and humility. Pride and prejudice, of course, and none of us is sure which noun fits which character better at any given time.

Her willingness to judge, followed by her loyalty when she sets her mind to it, suggests a Six. Certainly she’s no Heart Type. As perfect a creature as Jane would drive Elizabeth to envy if she were.

She does like a walk, though. She’s refreshed and rejuvenated by the activity. Nature can beguile anyone, but does this mean she’s a Body Type? She’s never portrayed as a small, energetic woman, although a One is quite possibly a match with her other characteristics. Her wit is also persuasive as a One trait.

When I recorded my read-aloud of “Pride and Prejudice” I characterized in my mind Elizabeth as a Six. Darcy seems so Five-ish (which is how I read him) that the Head Type conflict felt right to me.

And what if she’s an Eight, or a Seven? Any of these choices by an actor/director could work and become interesting. I would watch any of these versions.

The key, I think, is how set Elizabeth’s mind is and how deeply humiliated she is to learn she’s been completely wrong. Shame. I’m going to stick by my diagnosis of a Six because of this. I don’t know if any other Enneagram number would be so wrenched by error, and yet so willing to admit it and correct course.

Queen Mary

4.5″ x 7″ on wallboard.

Jane is forced to attend the awkward party of guests Rochester invites over. As she tries to slip away, she’s caught by Rochester’s duet with Blanche who, we later discover, bears an uncanny resemblance to Bertha.

(ROCHESTER)
QUEEN MARY MADE LOVE TO A FIDDLER,
A DANDY CALLED RIZZIO BY NAME.
SHE HAD HIS WEE BABE,
AND DARNLEY IN RAGE,
STABBED RIZZIO AND ENDED HIS GAME.

PLAY, SING, AND RHYME.
THE REST IS NOT WORTH A FILIP.
A MAN WHO CAN’T QUIP
WITH A DAME ON HIS HIP
WILL FEEL THE KNIFE’S SHARP POINTY TIP.

(BLANCHE)
QUEEN MARY PLEDGED TROTH TO THE DEVIL,
A SPICY ROGUE, BOTHWELL BY NAME.
HE KIDNAPPED HIS WIFE,
AND TOOK DARNLEY’S LIFE,
AND DIED IN A PRISON, INSANE.

HUNT, SHOOT, AND FIGHT.
THE REST IS NOT WORTH A FILIP.
A MAN WHO CAN’T RIP
A MAN’S NECK WITH HIS GRIP
IS AN APPLE THAT CAN’T SOW ITS PIP.

Please find song and album information at bandcamp.

HENRY JONES, SR., FIVE

Indy’s companion in his third movie is his father. It is a love story, as much as Marion Ravenwood’s is.

So, what Enneagram number is Dad?

He’s a scholar, but more than that he’s a solitary scholar. Contemplative. Prone to isolation and introversion. Any number can be an introvert, but Henry really says “Head Type” as a first impression. He’s certainly not a Body Type like Indy. Using the umbrella to send the birds into the plane engine is our clue there.

And he’s not a Heart. Emotions are secondary for him, an inconvenience.

Five, Six, or Seven?

Not Seven. He’s not fun enough, or varied enough, or hedonistic enough for that. The pleasures of the world don’t tempt him.

He’s a Five. He’s just too serious to be anything else. The mission drives him, knowledge drives him. The grail diary is his life’s work and he’s never grown tired of pursuing it. He’s relentless about something many people would find boring.

Here’s what’s interesting: In real life, Fives and Nines have a complicated relationship. Nines can’t stand how know-it-all Fives are, and Fives can’t stand that Nines don’t value their insight. I would say that, subconsciously, this dynamic is what makes the third Indiana Jones movie arguably the best of the series. Beautifully played.

WILLIE SCOTT, FOUR

Does the second Indiana Jones companion warrant an Enneagram number? She follows Marion Ravenwood, which is unfortunate for her, but she’s given a distinctive character by Kate Capshaw. I actually liked her on first viewing in the movie theater.

She’s dramatic. A Four? Creepy-crawly bugs get a BIG REACTION. (They would from me, too, and I’m no Four.) But her constant, wonderful lament, “Innnndy!” seems Heart Type-ish. “I broke a nail,” something any Type could feel, still seems Heart. Big Feelz, high and low, are her sweet spot.

You know, I’m not going to look any further. Willie just reads like such a Four.

And this is why Willie doesn’t work. Marion has set the standard for Jones companions. An Eight’s aggression and practicality will win out when compared with a Four’s emotion and — well, believability. Willie acts much more like a real companion would than Marion does. Like most of us, she’s not very heroic. Marion Ravenwood, Eight, is a consummate heroine.

In real life a Nine like Indy is much more likely to choose a Four than an Eight. Here in the movies it’s all backwards. Willie’s movie is most people’s least favorite. That’s a shame! She deserves better.

MARION RAVENWOOD, EIGHT

The first of Indiana Jones’ love interests, Marion will always be my favorite.

She’s tough. She’s impulsive. She’s indomitable. 

We’re talking an Enneagram Eight, aren’t we?

The way she manages her saloon, the way she insists on going with Jones, the way she brandishes a knife at Belloq — these are so Eight. There’s not a lot of subtlety in Marion, just worn-on-her-sleeve aggression. When Jones finds her after her capture and leaves her tied up, she’s ready to rip him apart. No grudges, though. It’s all forgiven later.

She’s good in a pinch. Go frying pan! And when it’s time to run she can hoof it. I haven’t considered any other Enneagram number because this one seems so clear. Also, as we’ve seen, heroine Eights are kind of the writer’s go-to. Marion’s great. I sure hope, though, we can find some other heroines who break the mold a little.

INDIANA JONES, NINE

Indy is Harrison Ford and he is Indy. I cannot know Ford’s Enneagram number, but I will guess he shares a close connection with his character’s. 

Indy is physical. Swinging on ropes, wielding the bull whip, running pell mell — he is a true action hero.

He’s also smart. Clues, puzzles, deciphering, are all part of his job. He’s a professor for a reason.

Feelings, although present, don’t drive him. I think we can safely say that Indy’s no Heart Type.

I want to say “Nine,” but is that true? He’s not meticulous enough to be a One and he’s not impulsive enough to be an Eight. He rolls in the moment without hesitation, but it doesn’t have that gut-punch command an Eight shows. He’s competent and confident. Very Nine-ish.

The brain stuff can also be Nine-based, if it’s secondary to the physical. Is he a Head Type?

He’s too brazen to be a Five or Six. Seven? No, because he takes no joy in the outlandish gymnastics, mental and physical, he performs. It’s business, not pleasure. Sometimes his outlook toward his vocation is quite grim.

Like most adventure characters, Indy is a Nine. Easy to love, comfortable to watch, and a bit cookie cutter in his personality.