Hello readers! Hope you got the chance to celebrate National Book Lover’s Day yesterday!! Today I want to discuss a few of our favorite literary characters and their Enneagram types. If you don’t know much about the Enneagram, that’s okay, it’s a personality type indicator that can be used to better understand your own and others’ motivations and characteristics. Here is a link to the test if you want to find out your type. My personality is 9w1– the Peacemaker– to be further explained later.

I believe one of the marks of a good author is when their characters have a discernible personality. So often characters become jumbled, their decisions seem inconsistent, and readers are left confused and unsatisfied. When you can truly get to know a character enough to recognize their inner workings, that’s good writing.

I thought this would make for interesting research and discussion, so let me know what you agree or disagree with, and any more characters’ types you think of! There are soo many characters I could have talked about for each type, but I tried to choose ones that lots of readers would recognize. Shout out to the EnneaApp for giving clear definitions of each type along with wings and lines of growth and stress.

Type One: The Reformer

Ones value ethics and striving for the best. They suffer anxiety about perfecting themselves, others, and the world. They can become so engulfed in this work that they forget to take care of themselves. Ones can either champion the cause of solving world problems or become obsessive, critical, and judgmental. Their gifts are honesty, industry, responsibility, integrity, and fairness.

A great example of this in fiction is Hermione Granger! She seeks moral perfection in all aspects of her life. Hermione is academically ambitious (remember when she literally messed with time to take as many classes as possible?). She fights for what is good. For example, in year four, Hermione sees how the house elves are treated at Hogwarts and starts S.P.E.W.– the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Hermione can be critical of those around her when she sees mistakes or wrongdoing (the famous levioooosa scene).

‘I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. Now if you two don’t mind, I’m going to bed, before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed– or worse, expelled.’

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Hermione embodies a mostly healthy and productive type one, and uses her strengths to accomplish many things. She is instrumental in defeating Voldemort, but perhaps more importantly, she gives Draco a swift punch in the face when he deserves it.

Type Two: The Helper

Twos seek to support and meet the needs of others. They tend to deny their own needs to focus on how they can best help others in hopes they will receive the same love in return. At best they are unselfish and altruistic, but can become people pleasers. Their gifts are generosity, a sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings, energy, and empathy.

A perfect example of a two is Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings. He is endlessly supportive of Frodo in his journey to destroy the ring. Sam is the only person capable of withstanding the temptation of the power the ring offers; even Frodo nearly fails in the end, but Sam is always by his side to keep him on the right path.

‘Come, Mr. Frodo!’ he cried. ‘I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.’

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

Sam is always optimistic, reminding Frodo of what he is fighting for when the ring starts to overcome him. When Gollum exploits Frodo’s fears to turn him against Sam, the younger hobbit leaves because he is fed up with giving and giving and receiving nothing in return. Even then, Samwise realizes how fully Frodo and Middle Earth depend on him to destroy Sauron, and returns.

Sam exemplifies the amazing qualities of twos. He forgets himself and endures years of travel, the life-sucking power of the ring, and often dull companionship of Frodo. Without Samwise’s unending generosity and optimism, the fellowship of the ring would have failed.

Type Three: The Achiever

Threes are primarily focused on their performance, achievement, and success. They seek to cultivate a desired image and often keep busy to feel accomplished. They tend to forget their own needs in the midst of a performance. Their gifts are optimism, accomplishment, leadership, efficiency, positivity, and confidence.

My example for type three is not explicitly from literature, but comics, so I think that’s close enough. Tony Stark perfectly exemplifies the personality of a three. He is an ambitious overachiever and a charmer who seeks to maintain a persona of a “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” He is competitive to a fault, creating Ultron, who while intended for good, causes mass destruction.

‘Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?’

Iron Man 2008

Part of Tony’s tough exterior is a wicked sense of humor we all love, but this hides a depression and anxiety. He often forgets to take care of his own needs, but as he grows throughout the MCU, Tony learns to be the best version of himself. In his first several movies, we don’t see a ton of his vulnerable side, but as people like Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, and Peter come alongside Tony and love him deeply, he learns to take down the persona and be his own self. He forgoes his previous selfishness and sacrifices himself for the well-being of those he loves.

Type Four: The Individualist

Fours are sensitive, creative, and in touch with their own emotions. They are forever seeking an ideal, often living in the past or the future, and fear abandonment and loss. They are very unique people, often feel like the odd one out, and seek authenticity. Their gifts are their depth and intensity of feeling, creativity, their desire to find meaning, and empathy.

While looking for examples of type fours, I found two very strong, yet very different examples. As with every type, there are healthy and unhealthy people who manifest their type very differently. Because of this, there are lines of stress and lines of growth to show which other number each type channels when in a period of stress or growth.

When in a healthy state, a type four channels type one, becoming more down to earth, practical, disciplined, and structured, shown by Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter. She is nothing if not a unique individual. Luna is authentic, self-aware, fierce, cerebral, loving, and accepting. She is completely aware of how odd others think her, but it doesn’t bother her one bit. Because of this, she is completely accepting of others that society looks down upon, going so far as to call Dobby– a kind but lowly house elf– Sir.

When fours are not as healthy, they channel type two, denying their basic personal needs and becoming dependent on others. They are needy and may even manipulate others to garner love and attention. This is shown by Bella Swan in Twilight. I apologize if anyone really loves Bella, but while I acknowledge she does have some good qualities, she is not a super healthy person in a healthy relationship. When Edward leaves Bella for her own protection, she becomes depressed and manifests these type two qualities strongly. She forsakes all other company and attempts to manipulate him into returning by endangering her own life. This is admittedly a low period, but throughout the whole series Bella is dependent on Edward for her own happiness.

It was not going to be the end of the world. Just the end of the Cullens. The end of Edward, the end of me. I preferred it that way– the last part anyway. I would not live without Edward again; if he was leaving this world, then I would be right behind him.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Like all types, fours have strengths and weaknesses which can manifest themselves in very different ways. They love fiercely those society has decided should not be loved, they feel deeper than most, and they cling to an ideal world. Luna shows us the love and creativity fours have to offer as she fights to defeat Voldemort. Bella shows us the more emotional and sensitive side of fours who care deeply enough to forsake all else, whether good or bad.

Type Five: The Investigator

Fives are the most private type. They are extremely intelligent, yet prefer to live in their own minds. Fives tend to emotionally detach from life and other people, preferring not to share about themselves in an effort to keep security and privacy. It’s often very hard to get to know them. Their gifts are knowledge, respect, mental clarity, dependability, and thoughtfulness.

An awesome and classic example of a type five is Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock has strong five vibes, and the BBC’s amazing interpretation stays true. He identifies with his exceptional mind to an extreme degree. Many believe him to be emotionless because he is so detached from others and relies heavily on logic and reason, yet for those who are willing to stick it out and love Sherlock, he becomes a fierce protector, going to far as to fake his own death for years to save the lives of his friends.

‘My mind,’ he said, ‘rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.’

The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

It is another fact that when in stress, fives tend to channel type seven, the Enthusiast. EnneaApp defines this as when they retreat to compulsive doing and escape with pleasure. Manic thought process can result in dangerous/risky behavior. Wow. This is Sherlock to a T. He craves constant excitement and when it’s not present, he turns to drugs. He can be compulsive and self-destructive, but John is the constant presence that will pull him out. Holmes and Watson compliment each other so well. Sherlock has the intelligence and the reason of a five, but John has the humanity that proves necessary to solve crimes. Though Sherlock often seems heartless, hides his emotion, and exhibits very unhealthy behaviors, we love the character anyway.

Type Six: The Loyalist

A six’s primary concern is keeping themselves and those they love safe from harm. They are quick to question and slow to trust. There are two distinct types of sixes, phobic and counterphobic. Phobic sixes are cautious, indecisive, and follow authority. Counterphobic sixes are defiant, reactive, and rebellious. Their gifts are intuition, loyalty, warmth, vigilance, and imagination.

I debated about a character to use for this type for a long time, but eventually chose Rhysand from Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series. I looove his character and wanted to try and figure out his type. The problem is he often puts on a mask for others and hides his insecurities. I debated him being a two, a three, or a seven, but ultimately I feel like a 6 with a wing 7 fits him the best. This type is defined as attempting to quiet anxiety and self-doubt with close connections and humor. They are charming, loyal, and inclined to sacrifice for close friends. I feel like this perfectly describes Rhysand. His primary concern is the safety of his inner circle and the people of Velaris. He comes across as charming and cocky, but in reality he doubts his own value. He is so loyal and fiercely protective of Feyre and his friends that he is willing to throw his life away for them.

‘She’s mine. And if any of you lay a hand on her, you lose that hand. And then you lose your head. And once Feyre is done killing you, then I’ll grind your bones to dust.’

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

After reading about this, it’s easy to recognize the counterphobic Loyalist in Rhysand. I mean can we acknowledge the extreme he went to in order to protect his people from Amaranta while she was in power?? Nuff said. Rhysand is fierce but charming, and above all above all seeks to protect those he loves.

Type Seven: The Enthusiast

Sevens are adventurous, spontaneous, and optimistic spirits. They crave freedom and become easily bored, so they often jump from one exciting, new possibility to the next. Because of this, they sometimes have difficulty with commitment and follow-through. Their gifts are their outgoing and playful attitude, creative imagination, optimism, idealism, and love of life.

An amazing example of sevens are Fred and George Weasley. The twins are light-hearted, optimistic, and sometimes undisciplined. Fred and George show signs of being a 7w6, known specifically as the Entertainer, a very fitting name. They seek to distract the wizarding community from the terror that reigns in the latter books by opening Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Their joke shop is full of pranks, rule-breaking, and carefree fun, exactly what people need when the threat of Voldemort is real.

There are many hilarious examples of Fred and George showing these type seven traits, but we must recognize their departure from Hogwarts. Under the tyranny of Professor Umbridge, the twins decide its time to graduate from school early. They certainly go out with a boom, giving the students of Hogwarts a much-needed laugh.

‘”E” for “Exceeds Expectations.” And I’ve always thought Fred and I should’ve got “E” in everything, because we exceeded expectations just by turning up for the exams.’

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Even when George loses an ear, they can’t keep from making jokes, “I’m holey, Fred, get it?” and “You’ll be able to tell us apart now, anyway, Mum.” Above all, Fred and George’s superpower, and that of many sevens, is giving others a good time when they need it most.

Type Eight: The Challenger

Eights are natural leaders, achieving safety by their strength, self-confidence, and decisiveness. They are often aggressive and impulsive and have trouble relying on others. Healthy eights take pleasure in using their leadership skills to defend the oppressed, but when unhealthy, may turn to intimidation and manipulation. Their gifts are courage, leadership, power, straight-forward attitude, and protectiveness of the weak.

The character to represent type eight is Aelin Galathynius from Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series. I’ve seen a few other sites type her as a 3w4, but while she definitely is ambitious and cares about how others view her, I feel that 8w7 represents her more truly. Let me know if you agree.

Aelin is a force to be reckoned with and doesn’t care how many people she offends along the way. Assassin turned Queen, she has definitely earned her nickname “fire breathing b**** queen.” Aelin possesses great power and though she once ran from her destiny, she now champions the cause of the oppressed and is willing to sacrifice every bit of herself for her people. 8w7’s are said to have forceful but motivating personalities who impulsively take big risks and distance themselves from others. I believe this is every bit Aelin. She is the queen of impulsive, harebrained schemes that she refuses to tell anyone so that she can make the biggest scene possible when she comes out on top. Aelin is not just a domineering force, but someone who will sacrifice her freedom, her power, and her life for those who she is fighting for.

She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing, save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Aelin’s character is a triumph. So entertaining, authentic, and fierce. It takes all of the seven book series for Aelin to truly come into her own. She matures, becomes much more mentally healthy with the help of Rowan, and accepts her destiny as a leader. The reader can do nothing but cheer for her from the very beginning.

Type Nine: The Peacemaker

Nines above all seek harmony in the relationships around them. They want acceptance and comfort and achieve this by focusing primarily on others and forgetting themselves. They often merge with others to get a sense of identity. Nines will do everything possible to avoid conflict and anger. Their gifts are that they are nonjudgmental, supportive, accepting, good mediators, empathetic, positive, and trusting.

There is a soft spot in my heart for nines as this is me! I wanted to make sure and pick a character I really felt represented the type well. I debated a lot, but chose Simon Spier from Simon VS the Homo Sapiens Agenda and the movie Love, Simon. I really identify with his kindness yet complete awkwardness that had me laughing out loud while reading. He seeks to maintain harmony and puts the needs of his friends before his own. He’s a softie and an idealist who falls head over heels for a stranger over email.

One area we see how Simon seeks to maintain harmony is that he is reluctant to come out. He worries that when he comes out, he will disrupt his established comfortable relationships family and friends. Simon puts way too much emphasis on what others think rather than his own well-being. While Simon is being blackmailed, he frantically tries to keep everyone around him happy, giving himself the job of upholding harmony in all his relationships.

‘This gay thing. It feels so big. It’s almost insurmountable. I don’t know how to tell them something like this and still come out of it feeling like Simon. Because if Leah and Nick don’t recognize me, I don’t even recognize myself anymore.’

Simon VS the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon doesn’t just not want to come out because of how it will affect his relationships, but because he knows it will also out the mystery guy he loves, Blue. Simon knows that coming out is each individual person’s own decision to make and he refuses to make it for someone else. More than anything else, Simon is mad at his blackmailer for making this decision for him. Simon Spier perfectly exhibits the love, acceptance, and awkwardness of his type, making me proud to call myself a nine.

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WOW. This was SO interesting to research. I learned so much and now feel like an Enneagram typing pro. I definitely recommend each person taking the quiz because I’ve actually learned so much about myself, how I handle stress, and the best ways for me to grow. Not just this, but it’s comforting finding out that “wow, there are other people just as awkward and just as messed up as me!” Besides this, again, I’d love to hear your thoughts and which other characters you think are which types!

Keep reading,

Elizabeth