Holiday Themes – Page 6 – Enneagram and Encaustic

SKINNY SANTA, ONE

That moment when you see Santa — Santa Claus! — tell Rudolph he’s not good enough because of a physical difference you’re devastated. THIS IS THE SANTA! He’s all good, all loving (like God) and all forgiving. Why is this Santa so petty and mean?

Usually Santa is more of an avatar. This Santa is a character. Let’s pursue his Enneagram number.

Well, and I’m cracking up, this Santa is hungry. Or, he’s not hungry. He’s just an ascetic, which is totally wrong for a Santa. Mrs. Claus says, “Eat, papa, eat. No one likes a skinny Santa.”

WHY ISN’T SANTA ROLY POLY? Everything about this version is . . . Not Santa. Every year, according to this story, Santa lives lean until the last couple of weeks when he overeats. This is a very conflicted, eating-disordered Santa.

One. I mean, I go immediately to One. Skinny, energetic Santa who only gives in to the requirement of his job at the last minute is a One. Santa who tsks at Rudolph’s nose because it’s not up to some random standard that Santa himself made out of whole cloth is a One. And when he must grovel to Rudolph and ask for his help, he does it with dignity. One.

Also, the Pole is super efficient. One.

Scrooge, page 21

Next to Boy Scrooge is a figure in exotic garments, an axe in
his belt, and leading a wood-laden donkey.

ALI BABA

Ready to look for hidden treasure,
young Master Ebenezer?

REVERSE to Scrooge. His delight causes Past to stop and
stare.

SCROOGE

And Robinson Crusoe! My imaginary
friends were a comfort to me. I had
forgotten!

ROBINSON CRUSOE, with a parrot on his shoulder, kneels down
to look Boy Scrooge in the eye.

HERMEY, SIX

“I want to be . . . a dentist.” After years of watching Hermey I accept his reality, but think about how weird this was the first time you heard it. The North Pole and dentistry seem so unrelated. Sweets and Santa, though: the writer’s thought process is clever. Of course the land of sugar has tooth decay. I’m impressed.

You’ve written an outcast, someone as misplaced as Rudolph. That’s lovely. And he’s a good egg, a solid friend. And when they must go against the Abominable, Hermey is brave (oink oink) and competent. He’s also very resolute. The Head Elf is stern and intimidating, yet Hermey sticks to his guns.

Great character! What is he?

A Six. This is why he and Rudolph are a good partnership. The world is black and white to Hermey. He could go along to get along. The elf gig is good. His principles, though, his determination, won’t let him acquiesce. Also, his bravery is tied to helping his friends. A Six is so loyal that their natural fear will be put aside if someone needs them.

RUDOLPH, NINE

Now we’re really getting Christmas-y!

He’s so sweet-natured he breaks your heart. Even 50 years ago when this movie first came out, his dad Donner and Santa struck us as cruel. His nose is odd so he’s socially rejected. Talk about an underdog story!

Rudolph is quite non-judgmental, possibly because he has been judged so harshly by others. Another possibility is that he is naturally kind. He makes friends easily with those outside of the reindeer competitive milieu. And when he befriends someone, he fights for them. Clarice against the Abominable, the Misfit Toys . . . he’s as loyal as you could wish.

He can really fly. He’s the best at the tryouts. Does this mean Body Type? His kindness — his sense that cruelty is wrong and he won’t engage in it — has been leading me toward Six. He certainly isn’t an Eight. He’s much too resigned with the injustice of the workshop. And he’s not a One. That quick wit and energy are missing.

Another Nine? Yes. It’s the refusal to engage in conflict, the running away. He lives in Six, his weakness number, until finding his strength. It’s the Harry Potter and T’Challa motif again. Soft-hearted hero keeps us waiting for a lot of the story, and then they bring the power. We know all along that the payoff will be great. He leads the sleigh team! Everyone who was mean to him apologizes and admits their mistake. Justice. That’s how you make a classic.

OX AND MIDGE, NULL

I don’t know if these two have enough screentime to rate Enneagram numbers, but I so wanted to write their names! So great!

Also, if Ox and Midge don’t have separate numbers, do they combine to form one number as a storytelling shortcut?

Their invitation of Lucy is so cooperative. Midge extends the plan and Ox sells it. As of yet I haven’t looked at the Storytelling Enneagram of this film. I’m going to guess, though, that since the Eight is the thwarted wedding — Lucy’s relationship with Ox and Midge reaches a cumulative point — that the Two would be the introduction of them. They are a team: Peter’s Family. We see more of Ox because he and Jack must resolve their work relationship. Midge has a small presence but she kills it during the time she’s given.

Midge. Small. Ack — sorry. Also, here’s an eternal question: why does ANYONE need to inspect Peter’s testicles? Not the question I thought I’d write when I woke this morning.

I don’t think these two characters had Enneagrams in the script. I think the director cast these two and said, “Work your magic.” And they did. I will argue, though, that the success of the Two/Eight in the story is due to choices this team made. They knew their job, the weight on their shoulders, and delivered the beats.

JACK, NINE

The black sheep brother. The good son. He’s adult enough to live separately from his parents, yet connected enough to visit often. He can’t say no to helping dad in the family business, although he’s successful enough at furniture craftsmanship to go out on his own.

Jack is at a crossroads when Lucy enters his life. Is his nature, like Lucy’s, a driver for his story? Actually, I would say not. He is a support role. His character reacts, not acts. (Poor Bill Pullman! The meme of his career!)

There for everyone but never taking charge. Nine.

He’s so congenial to everyone, yet also protective of his family. He’s a judge, weighing this new person. And . . . he will not fight for her. Partly, he is loyal to his family. However, he also will not go to battle for what he wants. Nines and conflict, you know. Lucy waits for him to speak up. Eventually her own conscience must object. Jack was never going to stop the wedding; his objection is only voiced after Lucy has taken the big risk.

A Two Woman-Nine Man relationship can lead to trouble. She’s too accommodating for someone who should slay his own dragons. So, what do you think? Do Lucy and Jack succeed at lifelong marriage? Ha! That is beyond the scope of this movie.

You watch Sleeping the first time for the romance story. You rewatch it for the family interactions and the character bits. These mashed potatoes are so creamy.

PETER, FOUR

Successful. Utterly self-centered. Breezy.

Like Lucy, Peter’s nature drives his story. He’s selfish. Oh, it’s too delicious! This is a happy movie, so the unlikable character is in a coma throughout most of it. When he wakes up, the script gives him a diagnosis of amnesia. All of his negative traits become fodder for humor as he tries to prove that he can remember his life.

Needless to say, he’s portrayed beautifully. To play someone so shallow and yet to make him so funny is difficult.

So, what Enneagram is he? Professionally he’s incredibly successful. That suggests a Three, except that he’s so socially dense. Threes know how to take a room’s temperature.

He’s a Four. It’s the sartorial flair. (“Are those my shoes?”) He’s a charming jerk, self-absorbed, yet able to navigate the corporate milieu. You have to like a Man Four; you can’t help it, even when their nasty bits are showing. It’s so Peter.

LUCY, TWO

If you look beyond Bullock’s charisma, who is Lucy? Nice, helpful, sensitive. Is she observant? She notices that Peter gives up his seat on the train, but she also fails to notice that Peter is a schmuck. She has few friends — a work colleague only — yet she can immediately connect with Peter’s family and be liked by them. She’s very lonely.

I’m pointing toward Heart Type. Feelings drive her, even to rescuing a stranger on the train tracks and following him to the emergency room to make sure he’s okay. Anyone can be lonely, but a Head Type would’ve probably extricated herself before the confusion went too far. A Heart Type is, frankly, more careful about hurting others’ feelings, which is how Lucy ends up in a pickle. It’s really a great gimmick and a very fun, rewatchable movie.

Sentimental objects (the golden world lamp, the Florence snow globe) and bottled-up dreams . . . Two. Their giving impulse keeps them from treating themselves sometimes. Lucy is so very kind — working the Christmas shift, allowing Joe Junior in her closet, partnering up with Saul — even seeing good in Peter after getting to know how shallow he is. Her generosity is basically the movie’s antagonist: all the conflict comes from her behavior. They’re good instincts, though, which makes this a lovely Christmas film.

RACHEL, SIX

Aw, she doesn’t even get a last name. Just Rachel, but, oh, what a Rachel. She’s immediately charismatic.

I like how Rachel stands up for herself: “I thought you were . . . blank.” Her hurt at being duped is honest yet not raging. And she cuts him off until he proves at the talent show with Marcus that he’s changed.

What number has that fortitude?

A Three, possibly. Not a Body Type at all. None of her reactions fit those profiles. Not a Four or Two, which leads me to conclude she’s not a Heart Type either, so not a Three. She’s too calm when confronted with emotional pain.

Head Type. Not a Five, who would never put up with Allie the son’s behavior. Fives move to Eight in strength and would blow his snottiness out of the water. Also not a Seven, who really has no time for that nonsense. Sevens have important work to do.

A Six? Her putdown of Will is so subtle and witty. When she decides she’s done with him, she’s really done. No waffling: he must demonstrate true character alteration and growth. A black-and-white judgment, no gray.

Interesting. I like it.

FIONA BREWER, FOUR

I don’t know what Enneagram number Toni Collette is, and she’s a physical chameleon when it comes to her roles, but she’s given Fiona the body of a Four. With her costuming and the way she’s shot, Fiona comes across as tall with a dominating physical presence. This is one of the Woman Four body characteristics.

Fiona’s depression can also be Four-like. The highs and lows. These are markers that are stereotypes, though. Let’s look deeper.

She’s very socially brave. When she thinks Marcus has been mistreated by Will she’s in his face in a public place with no hesitation or caution. Her dedication to SPAT, the support group, is also a comfortable relationship. Meeting people, relying on people, these are all wheelhouse reactions from Fiona. Very Heart Type.

What about an Eight, though? She’s very aggressive in her opinions, and her dominating physique could also be an Eight’s. Is she a Body Type?

No! Hahaha, I’m cracking up. It’s the ancient grains cereal. Eights are more luxurious in their eating choices. Oh, dear, that’s funny. Although, she does cry over the cereal. No, I’m kidding.

And she closes her eyes during “Killing Me Softly”. She’s feeling the emotion of the words. She can’t be feeling the musicality because it’s a terrible song, hitting the body like an ice pick to the brain. An Eight would recoil rather than lean in.

Okay, that was mean. But I genuinely hate that song. As do most people. That’s what makes the bit so funny.