MBTI Type: ISFJ

Paul is meticulous when he chooses to get involved—Julia’s editor says he is a challenge to work with at times, because he is so careful in all that he does. When told to perfect a bread recipe, he makes minor adjustments and goes through tons of breads, determined to find the right recipe that works (eventually, they find the right one—thanks to repetition and his lower Ti, which tackles the challenge like a problem to be solved through math and science; why didn’t this work, what might be going on here, what should we try next?). He nitpicks the kitchen they build for Julia on set, pointing out that the counters aren’t high enough for his wife (she’s over six feet tall, those are two short for her—didn’t you read any of my measurements?). Paul also doesn’t read between the lines well; he doesn’t realize his wife is paying for the show out of her royalties, or why she would take on cooking classes (they are to make ends meet) when she has “so much else to do.” Paul gives a realistic portrayal of Fe, in that he is warm, accommodating, and reassuring sometimes, but also quick to air his complaints and he makes a very poor “sick person” (he milks the situation for all the sympathy he can get). He is sensitive, easily hurt, and needs to receive praise, encouragement, and affirmation from his loved ones, especially when he has had a hard day. He’s quite logical and scientific, able to make far more rational decisions than his wife, but has very little interest in “modernization.” They only buy a television set because Julia has a show on it, and he wouldn’t want to miss an episode!

Enneagram: 2w1 sp/so

Enneagram 2s are emotional and easily offended, because they want to connect to others (especially their loved ones) so deeply that any rejection or criticism stings them. This is true of Paul, who, as Avis says, has a ‘fragile ego, that must be handled with care.’ He needs to think that good ideas are coming from him, and to be able to support his wife—even when he feels jealous of her success compared to his own ‘mediocre talent.’ It’s a testament to Paul’s 2ness that when he is struggling, he still tries to be there for her, champion her, and help her promote her show; and he is the happiest when she needs him in some way—even if it’s just him comforting her after a feminist author attacks her anti-feminism. Paul leaps in to console her, reassure her, and point out all the good she does in ‘making people happy.’ But he also has some lower 2 traits as well, at times… he can be jealous and childish when he’s upset, refusing to go along with her out with her friends, because he has been ‘forgotten.’ When he hears someone berating her at a banquet, he angrily stands up for her, not realizing he is making the situation worse. He has to work hard through his jealousy (Julia is famous while his paintings get ignored; and the only photograph he sells is of her to a collector), but also believes he ‘should’ be supportive of her (his super-ego dictating how he ‘should’ think and feel and pushing him to sacrifice his own feelings for hers).

Stop stumbling around in the dark, not knowing your type or those of your loved ones. Get 16 Kinds of Crazy: The Sixteen Personality Types today!