MBTI Type: INFP

Fanny has a wicked and witty sense of humor and wit, and prefers to interpret things in her own particular way, by entertaining her sister endlessly with her ongoing stories, remarks upon other people, and ‘re-invention’ of histories for her amusement. She is easily hurt and insulted by her rich family’s careless remarks and them treating her as a second-class poor relation, but she also knows her own mind. When her uncle attempts to force her to marry a man she does not love and does not trust, she stubbornly refuses and would rather go home and live in poverty than submit. She believes him of ‘poor character’ and does not believe (accurately) that he will ever change or develop into a finer man. She also knows she is in love with her cousin, Edmund, and prefers to wait for him, in silent affection and hope. Often, she creeps off to be alone and process things, such as reading her own stories after the ball. Fanny can be, occasionally, blunt and corrective, showing her disgust and shock when Mary Crawford callously remarks upon Tom’s imminent potential death and hopes to capitalize off it. Though her mother encourages her to accept Henry Crawford’s proposal, citing that ‘I married for love’ (and now live in poverty), Fanny ultimately cannot put aside what she feels to be true for her (Fi) for financial gain; though she initially accepted Henry, she soon calls it off, since it lies in such direct contrast with her emotional center and sense of self-need. She above all prizes herself as a writer and spends hours devoting herself to creating witty stories and sarcastic observations about the world, the people in it, and the histories (which she happily compiles into a cheeky little book in which she takes pokes at the various monarchies, such as stating that Joan of Arc lived during Henry VI’s reign and the English became very fussed about her, much to their eternal shame). Though everyone believes Henry Crawford to be sincere and encourages her to marry him, Fanny has an intuitive instinct that he is not what he pretends to be, and has none of the high moral caliber that she needs from a husband, so she remains resistant to all attempts to persuade her to change her mind. Instead, she goes back to writing and reading, spending countless hours in both tasks, and often in the library. She sends her sister letters full of wit and humor, but also struggles to adapt to a lifestyle to which she is not accustomed, and develops a fondness for Edmund that grows over time. (Her own special friendship with him, their long shared history together, and her respect of his morals and chosen profession, eventually pay off in their marriage.)

Enneagram: 9w1 sp/so

Fanny endures a great deal with a proverbial ‘stiff upper lip.’ She does not talk back to her relations when they treat her like a servant or humiliate her in front of the Crawfords. She serves them without complaint even when she does not want to. She thinks it may not be a good idea to put on a theatrical, out of concern for what her uncle may think. She does not like to quarrel and is polite to others, but also has the 9ish cheerfulness in little amusements (her morbid stories) and their stubbornness. The more others push her, the more she resists them, becoming unwilling to discuss the matter or reconsider. Mild-mannered and good-natured, Fanny also has a strong belief system. She behaves appropriately and judges harshly anyone who does not; she cannot fathom that Mary Crawford would tolerate her brother’s adulterous affair and write it off so easily.