MBTI Type: ISTJ
Dominant Introverted Sensing – a strong emphasis on being realistic and detailed, and on personal experiences being a reliable source of information: Elinor has a great awareness of how the world works, and how to accomplish things within it (she reminds Margaret that girls cannot inherit, that their brother does in fact own the house, that they must rely on good marriages to make ends meet). She sees potential in the environment and orients it to make it more comfortable for herself and others (one of the first things she says upon coming to the cottage is that with a few fires, it will be “very cozy”). Elinor forms a strong attachment to Edward, and holds onto those feelings and sentiments despite a change in situation and environment.
Auxiliary Extroverted Thinking – relying on facts, drawing logical conclusions, being efficient and straightforward: When her mother expects to move on as if nothing has happened, Elinor points out that they must think very differently now; they cannot afford even the gatehouse of the residence her mother is considering. When Margaret expresses her fear of wolves, Elinor reminds her that “there have been no wolves in England for a hundred years.” When Marianne wants to accept the gift of a horse from Willoughby, Elinor points out the expense and argues both her mother and Marianne into common sense (they accommodate on everything, and cannot afford it). She meets every need with practicality and efficiency.
Tertiary Introverted Feeling – unwilling to go against their personal values and self-contained in their feelings: She warns Marianne to let no one know how she is feeling, something she is good at concealing herself. Elinor is deeply emotional and madly in love with Edward, but able to conceal that fact from everyone who does not know her intimately. She endures Lucy’s torments for months without saying a word to anyone. Only when Edward is free to marry her do her true feelings emerge. Elinor does not confide in others easily.
Inferior Extroverted Intuition – curious about the future and in different possibilities, but skeptical of “unrealistic” ideas: When Willoughby unexpectedly abandons them, Elinor’s thoughts turn to dark possibilities – that his aunt disapproves, that he is using Marianne amiss, that more is apparent than first meets the eye, but she has no set speculations. She only realizes the truth of him when Brandon supplies her with the details (inferior Ne).
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Enneagram: 9w1
Enneagram 9 – desires freedom from others’ influences, by going along with them and being tolerant, until it matters not to: Elinor remains cheerful and optimistic even when her heart is breaking, and is determined to see the best in everyone and not create waves or disturbances with her feelings. She binds herself to silence even after Lucy breaks her heart, and confesses to her sister that she could not speak of it, even if she wanted to express her deep internal anguish. Like all 9s, she experiences her own emotions as intense and powerful—but nobody else gets to see them in action. Marianne remarks numerous times on how she doesn’t know how her sister can be so calm, unaffected, and resigned to what is going on around them. Elinor gives Edward the benefit of the doubt and chooses to see the good in him, even after he has unintentionally broken her heart. She insists to her mother after believing him married that she is fine, that nothing has happened, and all shall be back to normal quite quickly. It disturbs her when others get upset in her presence, and causes her to try to smooth over situations.
1 wing brings in a desire for moral rightness and perfection: Her 1 wing also lends her principles. Elinor thinks she has to repress herself and her true opinions, so she treats everyone kindly rather than to let out any of her negativity (and she tells her sisters not to be so negative; that they have very kind neighbors, and have many good memories of their cottage on the shore!). She won’t allow herself to break Lucy’s confidence, even when it is hurtful to her, and tries to leave the room to accommodate her and Edward’s need to “talk” and to avoid the discomfort of being around them. She harshly condemns Willoughby for his immoral behavior, and criticizes him for not making restitutions to that “poor girl” he impregnated, and tells him that she is very glad Marianne is over him and he shall never have her heart again. But she also feels a little sorry for him, in the end.
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