Characters from the Inside Out
Thoughts on The Literary Enneagram: Characters from the Inside Out by Judith SearleOf the five books I contracted to read this semester, this book stood out from all the rest in its ability to be both a source of inspiration as well as a guide to literary techniques in exploring characters.
I have already emphasized in earlier blogs, that I believe a character driven plot makes for the best storytelling. LITERARY ENNEAGRAM reinforces this concept by examining the “pieces” of human personalities and how they are reflected in a wide variety of literature from KING LEAR to SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Unfortunately, the author didn’t use any science fiction examples – but then again, most science fiction has not placed a great deal of depth into its characters. She does, however, use some classic fantasy books: GULLIVERS TRAVELS, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, PETER PAN, to name a few.
I refuse to accept that science fiction can not have great characters and a great plotline.
Perhaps my only complaint regarding LITERARY ENNEAGRAM is a lack of information regarding the creation of the Enneagram system. Being a fan of Jungian archetypes as well as Joseph Campbell’s HERO OF A THOUSAND FACES, I would have enjoyed knowing if the intent was to parallel these other classic works or if it was accidental in its creation. I did research its roots on a variety of websites and there seems to be some heavy mysticism thrown in including some potential roots tied in to the Qabbalah with the Enneagrams representing the different Sephrioths, or Chakras as they are better known in Western mysticism.
Back to the book, however, which I found to be of great value in thinking out how each of the characters would be shaped, what they're arcs would be during the course of the story and how to ensure there was a proper balance within the 'cast'.
One of the first things I did, in order to create my character s, was to go online to the Enneagram Institute website and utilize the free questionnaire in order to determine the classification of each of the characters (Note: This test is no longer available). I would focus my 'head' to think like the character in question and then go through the test. The resulting classification gave me insight and guidance as to how then research the character through LITERARY ENNEAGRAM. I found the process incredibly insightful – and a great deal of fun as well!
Once I established what Enneagram each of my main characters was, I then proceeded with reading Searle’s book with an eye towards discovering positive and negative shades of my characters through the literary examples she provides.
Searle refers to a ONE as The Critic, whereas the classification is called The Reformer by the Enneagram Institute. In either case, this worked out perfect for Dr. Kalsner who I see as an individual striving for objectivity in all things and on occasion finding himself cut off because of it. Kalsner is a gentle soul, who loves science with great abandon but fears intimacy. Searle points to Stevens in REMAINS OF THE DAY (played by Anthony Hopkins in the film) as a classic One. Stevens loves the business of butlering, to such an extreme that it prevents him from forming relationships with those around him.
The Lover, as Searle calls a Two (known by the Institute as The Helper), seemed the perfect fit for the book’s obnoxious mirror of 21st Century politics: Senator Navarro. Navarro is what Searle would refer to as an unhealthy Two. Manipulative, passive aggressive, using altruism only in so far as it will aid his own career, Navarro’s incessant habits of attempt to please everyone in a demonstrative manner are classic Two mannerisms. A great parallel to this character is Cleopatra in Skakespeare’s ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, as pointed out Searle. Power minded, she manipulates Antony in hopes of gaining political advantage.
Searle and the Institute both refer to Three’s as The Achiever. A perfect fit for Critical Past’s Seutonius Paulinus, Roman Governor General of Britain during the time of the Boudica revolt (which will be the predominate portion of the book). Pragmatic, driven and image conscious, Seutonius will represent the best and worst of what ancient Rome was all about. In his attempts to pay duty to honor he will allow dishonorable events to unfold (such as the killing of Andra’s son). Searle uses Scarlett O’Hara from GONE WITH THE WIND to set a literary example of Three’s nature. But where Scarlett’s Machiavellian attempts at winning Rhett will backfire; I plan on having Kate serve as mentor to Seutonious. Seeing his classic Three fear of worthlessness, Kate’s role will be to inspire him to treat the British natives with the honor he so strongly prizes.
Fours, known as The Aesthete by Searle, has a very different definition with the Institute: The Individualist. There are, however, characteristics within both definitions that fit Andra well. Searle repeatedly points out that Fours find their identity in their memories and their readiness to suffer for love is always striking. They are known for being temperamental, dramatic, sensitive and self-absorbed. Searle uses Blanche DuBois from STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE to demonstrate the levels of aggressive passion she will go to do defend her position in a passage where she and Stella argue about who is responsible for the loss of their childhood home. Andra’s youth, destroyed by Rome’s successful invasion, will be a driving theme in her life’s mission to ‘exact vengeance’. The actual Aesthete in her, the love of all things beautiful, will be deeply sublimated until Jon helps her to pull out this aspect of her personality.
Fives – called the Analyst by Searle/Investigator by the Institute, represent the intense, cerebral and innovative aspect of humanity. Clearly both Jon and Burke belong in this category. Searle uses Sherlock Holmes as a classic example of a character who loves to solve problems. And in Burke’s case, the solution is far more important than anything or anyone who might be harmed along the way. Jon’s challenge, as a typical Five, is to overcome the feelings of insecurity his artificial genius has given him so that he can more clearly focus on his talents.
The Six, known by Searle as The Pessimist and as The Loyalist by the Insitute, is a perfect description of Agent Peters. In her case, loyalty to Burke overshadows logic – or more importantly, loyalty to humanity in general. A classic six, according to Searle, is security focused at all costs. They are anxious, suspicious, with an overblown sense of responsibility. As Searle points out by using Hamlet’s classic “To be or not to be” soliloquy, a Six’s anxiety and negative outlook on life can overwhelm any ability to discern workable solutions that are acceptable to humanity as a whole, or as in the case of Critical Past, acceptable to this motley group of scientists and folks that will find themselves thrown back into a time of bloody insurgency and disregard.
Sevens are known by Searle as The Optimist and The Enthusiast by the Institute. And Bogani is a passionate representation of these human characteristics, representing the hope of Project Hermes that Jon himself is generally more reticent to admit to. Searle uses PETER PAN himself as a classic demonstration of Sevens – demonstrating that eternal hope and optimism that most folks bury after being walked on repeatedly. Bo’s charm, his acceptance of any and all, are intended to provide a mirror to Agent Peter’s un-accepting Six so that we can witness the best and worst of how people handle crises. (An honest side note: Bongani Tribeko is actually modeled after Bongani Sibeko, a very dear alumni/friend who is South African and whose father was instrumental in protesting Apartheid: David Sibeko. The real Bo is every inch as much a Seven as the fictional one.).
Now we come to The Eight which is by far my favorite personality type, most likely because I identify with this type the most. Known by Searle as The Trailblazer and by the Institute as The Challenger, Eights are decisive, dominating and confrontational. And Kate Hazard definitely fits in this mold, not suffering fools gladly for an instance. Searle provides the reader with samples of an Eight at his best and worst with examples from Shakespeare’s OTHELLO. In the early scenes, we see Othello’s ability to command any situation by using his strength of personal authority and self control. His character arc – pulled down by the manipulations of Iago – demonstrates the dark side of an Eight’s anger at the injust nature of those around them. At their best, Eights make natural leaders. At their worst, they are spitfires looking for a place to do damage.
Lastly, Nines. Known by Searle as The Connector and the Institute as The Peacemaker, Nines are best known for their reassuring and agreeable manner as well as their ability to prevent attention being drawn to themselves. Heron, the 1st century Greek mathematician and inventor who will aid our heroes, best survives his employment with the Roman Britain troops by having these personalities. As a peacemaker, he will be critical to teaching everyone else how to work together and find peaceable solutions. Searle uses Thurber’s SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY to demonstrate how the title character lives a full life under the radar of those around him. I am actually considering giving Heron (who will know where and when our heroes come from) a bit of a Walter Mitty mentality – with prophetic but wild ideas of what the future will hold.
So that’s it. A hopefully very rounded cast that will represent the different faces of humanity. I suspect I will utilize THE LITERARY ENNEAGRAM for much of my development work – short stories and novels – thanks to its insightful look into the literary and real worlds of human nature.
