Category: Character Stories

JOHN McCLANE, ONE

He’s That Guy. If you’ve read my book you know I have great respect for “That Guy”. And you’ll know I believe we can all be “That Guy” in our lives and in the characters we create. It’s a wonderful hero trope.

But who specifically is McClane?

He’s loyal. When Holly relocates to Los Angeles he doesn’t dump her and move on. He’s also stubborn. When Holly relocates he doesn’t move with her. He has a job that is his identity, something he won’t leave behind.

He likes being a cop and believes in it. He’s a law and order guy. Rules. 

He has a sort of world-weary pessimism. He’s an Energizer bunny who won’t quit. These are very Six, but isn’t McClane a Body Type? Action hero does action things, like tie himself to a fire hose and jump off the roof. Is he a Nine living in his weakness trait?

Wait, think. If you think you’re looking at a Six but they have a more physical approach to the world, you’re probably actually seeing a One. Bruce Willis doesn’t have a One’s lean, wiry appearance, so he’s tricked me into guessing other numbers. How wonderfully fascinating, though! A One.

It’s the Energizer bunny clue that gives it away. His One wit takes a darker turn — “Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs” — but it’s there. This was a good discovery. I’m surprised!

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.

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.

ELIZABETH SWANN, TWO

As a child, she’s bold and unintimidated. Brave, kind. Curious, loyal.

When she gets older, she still cares for Will despite class differences. Rules mean little. Social conventions mean less. However, most female characters in the late 21st century action movie genre act this way. Can we determine Elizabeth’s Enneagram number or are we stuck with only stereotypical writing?

Let’s go back to the child. Young Elizabeth is extremely likable, a protagonist worth following. She feels strongly but is also active. Her emotions don’t leave her passive. She’s not a brat, though. She’s respectful, yet insistent. Young Elizabeth is a leader, probably an Eight.

Grown Elizabeth is not an Eight. She’s still active rather than passive, and insistent. She no longer has that decisive calm, though. She’s no leader. Bravery has turned to recklessness. She’s also no Head Type; much too impulsive.

Heart. She’s not a good enough fighter to be a Body Type. She’s competent, make no mistake. That’s all, though. And envy drives a lot of her actions. Envy of Sparrow’s insouciance, actually, although I don’t know if anyone involved in the production saw it this way. Elizabeth may want to ignore society’s rules, but she’ll never be as good at it as Sparrow.

A Two goes to Eight in weakness. An Eight’s decisiveness becomes a Two’s cruelty. We see this at the end of the second Pirates movie. Her treatment of Sparrow and Will has an uncomfortable edge.

This is a mish-mosh of a character. Ultimately I’d classify Elizabeth as a Two, but I would write and direct her quite differently to make that clear. She’s living in a gray zone right now, which is what makes her character vulnerable to stereotyping.

Except for when she stays on the island, true to Will. Her sacrifice and generosity shine through at the end of the trilogy, marking a very Two-like moment.

WILL TURNER, FOUR

Will’s a pirate, much to his surprise. At the end of the first PotC movie he gets the girl and embarks on a life of — not crime, necessarily, but not respectable living. He was a craftsman’s apprentice at the beginning. That would’ve been his life’s profession. Not very glamorous, not likely to marry the higher-status Elizabeth.

If I were to guess Will’s Enneagram number based only on the first film in the series, I’m not sure what I would pick. He’s a rule-follower thrown into chaos, and he survives.

However, if you think about it, that’s his story throughout the trilogy, with incredible survival consequences at the end of it all. What does that tell us?

Not many numbers would have the grit necessary to run the Flying Dutchman. Sixes, yes, if the swordplay were less able. Their sense of duty would carry them through. Fours, possibly, because of the powerful heart connection. Ones, yes. Their organizational skills can drive them through anything.

Heart or Body Type?

Will at the end of the trilogy is the best Will. He’s masculine and heroic. Prior to that he’s a bit whiny and secondary. A One is never whiny. They’re too competent and witty to descend into self-pity.

His life is a drama, a roller coaster. His loyalty is unswerving. His trials make him stronger.

Four.

CAPTAIN BARBOSSA, TWO

For a zombie he’s a pretty smooth character. A bit bossy, a bit manipulative, but overall a decent chap. Is he substantial enough to have an Enneagram number, though?

The filmmakers liked him enough to bring him back for Pirates of the Caribbean two and three. He’s the main antagonist in the first movie and dies at the end, suggesting he was a toss away villain on paper. Credit to Geoffery Rush. Whoever Barbossa is, he made decisions that defined him as a crucial part of the series.

He’s no Casanova. He’s a man’s man. Rules are followed (sometimes as guidelines), shipshape order is maintained, wind is in the hair, treasure is procured, and a juicy apple is paradise. When the chips are down, he will have your back and save the day.

He’s competent at swordplay, but not enough to be a Body Type. He’s a strategizer, but his steady heart seems to dominate. And perhaps his rivalry with Sparrow suggests a bit of envy.

Two, Three, or Four?

He’s not outstanding, just a dependable fellow. Not a Three. 

Man, I’m torn between Two and Four! He’s kind enough, and he loves the shiny trinkets. Treasure collecting is a Man Two’s dream job. But he’s also witty and driven. His feelings are what we love about him.

Oh, but that gold. The bibs and bobs. The secret kindness he holds close. I’m going with Two. 

CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW, SEVEN

I’m almost afraid to take a look at him! What Enneagram number could this odd creature possibly be?

Well, he’s cool under pressure. He’s constantly thinking chess moves ahead in order to get himself out of trouble, but he’s also calm and unhurried while he’s doing so. The Brethren Court, Davy Jones’ heart — Jack has a finger in all of the pies.

Head Type?

Although Jack is competent at swordplay, he doesn’t really seem like a Body Type. He’s learned and practiced enough to get through pirate world alive. Nothing more.

Heart? Not really. Feelings are secondary to the objective with Jack. Also, he’s not particularly envious. Whatever he feels, he knocks it back with rum and rolls on.

Not a Five. Too lively. Not a Six. Too laid back.

Seven it is.  Would take the Black Pearl over the Flying Dutchman every time.