MBTI Type: ISFJ

Aibileen has worked the same job for two generations, taking care of “babies.” She does all the housework, purchases all the groceries, and shapes the young minds in her care to believe the best of themselves, according to her own high standards. She is so used to how things are, she is a little fearful about thinking of the consequences of Skeeter’s great plan to write an exposé by “the help.” She is a warm and generous woman, tolerant of children’s mistakes and gentle in correcting them. Aibileen tends to wall up her emotions out of fear of rejection, but admits that allowing them out helps her feel better. She is willing to be the first maid to help Skeeter write her book and tries to recruit others also, while being aware of and sensitive to their fears. She’s aware of how things look, and points out that Skeeter shouldn’t be seen with her in public. Aibileen modestly accomodates the wishes of her employers and focuses on nurturing the children in her keep, trying to instill good values in them, even where their parents are lax (“You are good, you are kind, you are important”). She has a good sense of inner logic. She is practical and tells Skeeter flat the usual housekeeping column “gets it wrong most times.” She points out what could happen, if she opens up about her feelings, and chooses not to, based on rational / safety reasons. She does not spend much time thinking about life could be different, and only looks forward to it, after the book’s publishing and first royalties give her hope for her future.

Enneagram: 9w1 sp/so

Aibileen remains detached, numbing herself to anything unpleasant. She represses he feelings and does not talk about her feelings. She endures whatever nasty things her employers throw at her without complaint, and hurries to accommodate all their wishes… but also shows a silent, stubborn tendency to ignore them. She is helpful and kind, but also falls into 6ish anxiety under stress (becoming afraid to walk the streets alone, and of the repercussions of speaking her mind). Her 1 wing cares about doing what is right, and helps her overcome her anxiety in writing the book. She can sometimes express critical judgments, such as thinking her employer has no business having children, due to being a poor mother.