Pride and Prejudice and the Enneagram
The following is a list I made for no one in particular about what I think is the enneagram of each character in Pride and Prejudice. I am really curious what other people think however so please comment your ideas
Elizabeth- 7w6
I went back and forth about 20 times trying to decide what Elizabeth was and I’m not fully settled on my decision (I still think she might be a 4) but I’m going with a 7. I think the most notable examples of why Elizabeth is a 7 is in her attitude towards marriage- she values being happy in marriage over stability and says that only the deepest love would compel her to marry. Nonetheless- I think she has a 6 wing because she is fiercely loyal. Loyal to Jane, loyal to Wickham when she first believes he was the good guy, and loyal to her family regardless of the fact that she is embarrassed of them. I also think the reason she mourns so much for Jane’s rejection and Charlotte and Lydia’s marriages is because she realizes that these things will make her sisters/friend unhappy, which is what Elizabeth thinks is most important.
Jane- 2w1
I knew right away that Jane was a type 2. She is a very giving, generous person who allows others to take advantage of her- most notably her mother and future sisters in law. She is also notably intent on convincing herself that the Bingley sisters do like her, despite what they do to her and seems especially distraught at others having to be the one to take care of her when she is sick and bedridden.
Bingley- 9
I had a lot of trouble typing Bingley. I ultimately settled on a type 9 because he’s a pushover. He is is easily convinced into doing just about anything- from throwing a ball, to leaving town. He is likewise convinced by others that Jane doesn’t like him as he likes her rather than trusting his own instincts. I think he values peace and thus doesn’t stand up to his sisters for fear of the conflict.
Darcy- 5w4
Darcy is a textbook 5. He’s socially awkward, prefers to observe rather than participate, does whatever he can to conserve his energy, and values knowledge and wit. I think he has a 4 wing because of his tendency to be a bit melodramatic and because I think the reason he values his reputation so much is because he fears being seen as common or ordinary like less well-off families
Mrs Bennet- 6
Mrs Bennet is a type 6 because of her tendency to worry, become anxious, and because she fixates her entire energy into finding husbands for her daughters- knowing that husbands will ensure her daughters have stability. However, I struggled reconciling this typing with the fact that she so readily puts Jane’s health at risk so if anyone else has other ideas I am open to hearing them.
Mr Bennet- 5
I think Mr Bennet is a type 5 primarily because of how much he values time alone and peace. It’s evident that he finds his wife draining and in order to conserve his energy he often hides away. He allows Mrs Bennet to do ridiculous things while he sits backs and merely observes and he values the deep conversations he’s able to have with Elizabeth
Lydia- 3
I typed Lydia as a type 3 because I think her reaction to the situation with Wickham implies that she views marriage as being accomplished- which is why she brags so much about being married so young and about all of things she will do as a married woman. An unhealthy 3 veers into 9 territory which I think is why Wickham so easily convinced her to run off with him.
Wickham- 7
I think Wickham is an example of an unhealthy 7. He is impulsive and doesn’t think about the long term effects of his actions. I also think he hides the truth from Elizabeth about his relationship with Darcy because he thinks if she knew the truth she’d reveal it to others and he wouldn’t have the fun he was having. He later ropes Lydia into running off with him and has to be persuaded to do the right thing and marry her with the offer of money- a commodity he famously lacks because of his own lack of foresight.
Mr Collins- 2w1
Mr Collins has a sense of right and wrong and morality- hence why he decides it is proper to marry one of the Bennet girls since he is to inherit their home, but I think he cares much more about being liked. He does have a sense of servitude- he does serve his flock, after all- but I think his greatest example of being a 2 is with his relationship with Lady Catherine and how he essentially worships her because he values someone of her stature showing him favor.
Lady Catherine- 8
I had trouble typing Lady Catherine, but I ultimately settled on a type 8 mostly because of her reaction to Elizabeth and Darcy. I think Lady Catherine values the respect she’s been able to earn as a woman in Victorian England and I think she dislikes having control taken away from her when Darcy will not marry Miss de Bourg like Lady Catherine wanted and I think she resents how that decision will make her look more than anything else.