MBTI Type: ISFJ
David has an encyclopedic knowledge of his favorite television show, Pleasantville, and can reference direct quotes, knows the episodes all by heart, and can even compete against fellow fans when it comes to trivia and getting it right. He has made this show his entire life, it’s his main interest, and he immediately identifies even which episode he and his sister ‘fell into’ simply by a few clues in the environment. He urges Jennifer to keep things the same and not deviate off the script, and becomes anxious when she does, because things start to change—and he doesn’t like change, unpredictability, or dealing with unforeseen consequences. Over time, as he sees the positive affect rebellion has on the characters, he warms to the idea of experimentation—but that’s him leaning into his lower Ne toward the end of the story (and he also sees that there are serious consequences as well, including racism and intolerance for differences of opinions). He has a strong Fe, in that he thinks in terms of what’s best for the characters, not what’s best for him or his sister alone. He urges her to adopt the attitude of the time and go along with things, eagerly merging into his environment and getting along with everyone through being warm and outreaching. He asks her to go on a date that she has no interest in, just to keep things ‘normal’ for these people. He encourages Mr. Johnson to do things on his own, gently, by reminding him that he doesn’t need to fix things in the same order or be reliant on other people all of the time, and then encourages and praises his artwork. He’s smart enough to figure out how this world works, in order to navigate in it, as well as curious about what motivates the characters, and in observing the changes their presence in Pleasantville brings about.
Enneagram: 9w1
David has been actively ‘avoiding’ participating in real life through his obsession with his favorite television show. He’s been ‘nerding out’ at home, not making many friends outside his comfort zone, and not choosing to interact with reality, thus never pushing himself to grow until he reaches Pleasantville. Even there, he doesn’t want to rock the boat and becomes distressed with his sister introducing sexuality into the town, since it disrupts its innocence and creates chaos. He wants everyone to get along, and for everything to be ‘pleasant’ … until he sees the positive change their actions are having on those around them, in bringing color to this world full of dull one-dimensional sweetness. The show is a metaphor for his desire to live an unaffected life; but being in it forces him to become more assertive and stand up for his beliefs, then make the decision to go back to the real world and apply what he has learned through self-improvement. He has a moralistic one wing that disapproves of behaviors like book burnings, his sister’s rebellious behavior, and the censorship of other people. He focuses on doing what’s right and good for other people through it as well, in how he mentors those who come to him, but ultimately makes a decision for himself to go back to the present.
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