MBTI Type: ISTJ
Dominant Introverted Sensing – a strong emphasis on being realistic and detailed, and on personal experiences being a reliable source of information: David is hard-working and somewhat traditional, although we don’t see this until his sister wants to marry a man she has never met, only corresponded with, and who posted an advertisement in a newspaper for a wife. David doesn’t like that, since it’s not someone he knows and trusts, and he thinks his sister could do better, but she is able to convince him that this is her last, best chance as an “old maid” for the life and happiness she wants. He takes much of the Bible literally, and does not speculate beyond what is written there, while being a man who loves physical activities. He likes to play baseball, go hunting, fishing, and to hang out with the men of the Cove and play their recreational games. David struggles to learn the Highland games, since he’s never played them before, and has to be shown how to do them properly.
Auxiliary Extroverted Thinking – relying on facts, drawing logical conclusions, being efficient and straightforward: When not attending to his religious duties, David does a lot of work on the church, helps put up telephone poles, and does odd jobs around the Cove where needed (fixing roofs, etc). He is quite logical and firm in his convictions, often drawn to subjects at school that are either theological or scientific. He and the doctor often wind up arguing about points of theology vs. science and differ on what the facts prove. David wants to solve problems directly and confront them with hard work, rather than endlessly talk about them.
Tertiary Introverted Feeling – unwilling to go against their personal values and self-contained in their feelings: He also struggles to articulate his feelings; David wears things close to his chest, can’t be convinced to change his mind easily, and admits he finds it hard to say what he feels without resorting to poetry. Christy doesn’t like it that he just wants to kiss her and be around her, rather than having soulful talks.
Inferior Extroverted Intuition – curious about the future and in different possibilities, but skeptical of “unrealistic” ideas: David’s low Ne sees the potential in their relationship, and works toward it, but he does not often speculate or fall for the same idealistic beliefs that drive her to want instant change.
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Enneagram: 1w2
Enneagram 1 – a perfectionist who focuses on the ‘right’ way to exist and wants to shape events to fit their ideals: David is fiercely independent and won’t be budged from his moral viewpoint, even when others harass him for it. In one episode, he has a problem with Uncle Bogg, who turns a lot of the men in the Cove against him. They mistreat David by insisting he clean an entire patch of land by himself, without any assistance, and he refuses to go home until he has finished all of it—he winds up with cracked, bleeding, and blistered hands, and Christy has to wait around until after dark to take him home. He and Neil disagree frequently on matters of principle, where David takes a moral viewpoint and Neil argues that it’s irrational or irrelevant, or that his morals are outdated. David isn’t afraid to stand up to people, and feels bad when he’s unable to ensure a positive outcome for everyone, or reaches the limits of his own strength. He is often angry and winds up arguing with Neil. It’s hard for him to admit to being wrong, and his sister has to confront him before he will let her marry someone who “isn’t good enough for” her in David’s eyes. While a good man, he can also come across as harsh, unflinching, and judgmental at times.
2 wing brings in a self-assurance that what they are doing for others is what is good, right, and needed: Yet, his 2 wing wants to help, heal, and reach out into the community. He has a deeply emotional side that easily falls for Christy and then wants to be her soulmate, her helper, and her protector. In one episode, David has lost some of his faith and finds it hard to be his usual self—he struggles to give a woman hope about what exists after death on her deathbed, and finds that difficult since he wants to believe the best in others, in himself, and in heaven.
Learn all about your Enneagram type in 9 Kinds of Quirky: The 9 Enneagram Types!
