MBTI Type: ISTJ
Abigail likes to fully process an idea before commenting on it, leading to her husband’s impatience when she withholds her initial opinions. Her concerns are all practical, and based on immediate consequences (the effect defending the British soldiers will have on his reputation and career, the fall-out of his controversial opinions, his prolonged absence relating to his children, etc). She prefers being at home to any other life, because it is most “familiar” to her. She tells Adams that she sees “a change” in Jefferson over time, that she doesn’t much like. France is such a different experience for her, that it’s a culture shock – and she doesn’t like the extravagance. She withholds opinions, uncertain that she can predict outcomes; her opinion of the French Revolution is non-committal. She would rather wait and see what happens. She cautions her husband to be careful in his decisions, because she cannot see all the ways they may play out. Abigail pushes for separation from England and the Revolution. Because of her straightforward, impersonal approach to politics, Abigail is an invaluable resource to her husband – able to criticize his faults, extol his virtues, and effectively help him maneuver through a world of politics, philosophy, and idealism. She takes decisive action aimed at long-term benefits (inoculating her children against disease, sending her son abroad with his father to further his education) and easily handles the responsibilities and duties of handling the farm in her husband’s absence. She supports her husband’s political career for its strategic advantages even when it threatens her present happiness, and comfortable issuing orders. She is intensely private about her emotions, but also mourns the loss of her husband and laments his inability to express his love for her in his absence. Abigail has very strong views that she refuses to compromise on, sometimes leading her to decisive moments that frame the family dynamic; she will sacrifice her personal happiness for causes she feels strongly about (the new government, her husband’s political career, etc). She is intensely loyal to her family, and able to completely emotionally disconnect from anyone who hurts them in any way (hence, her shifting view of Jefferson from a former friend to an unloved enemy).
Enneagram: 1w2
Abigail is forever lecturing her husband out of his vanity. She points out when he is being arrogant, when he has overstepped himself, and when he has done something wrong. She strives to improve him in all ways, and also notices misbehavior in other people, such as when she makes a passing judgment on Franklin’s libertine behavior in France. She confesses she felt embarrassed to watch “intimate emotions” on display in Paris. She ultimately refuses to ever speak to Jefferson again, after he betrays her husband and uses scurrilous attacks against him in the papers. She reacts from a place of anger and can be short-tempered. Her 2 wing is bold in asserting her opinions, but also in intervening and helping others.
Funky MBTI 