Do Fictional Characters Have to Have a Type?

RansomedbyFire · 09-24-2007, 11:42 PM

While I was reading your responses to my questions about Seinfeld, Becker, and House's types, I got to thinking... Is it possible to make a fictional character that either doesn't have a type or can easily change type as the author pleases? Do you know of any fictional characters that defy being typed like this?

Natrushka · 09-24-2007, 11:56 PM

Spock seems to defy typing, not quite INTP, INTJ or ISTJ.

Varelse · 09-25-2007, 12:11 AM

I'd think that an idealized character would defy typing, through showing the strong points of various types, without the weak points. A stereotype might also be difficult.

A flawed character might be easier to type, and I'd think that most of such could be assigned a rough type.

I just realized my Oblivion char is probably ISTJ. Carry on.

Jennifer · 09-25-2007, 12:21 AM

It depends on the type of story. Comedies in particular often use characters to fulfill roles rather than having personalities. The same goes with some allegories and mythical stories.

On the other extreme, sometimes a character can be so fully realized or mature that it's well-rounded and capable of different function usage, making it difficult to see what type it started out.

Zergling · 09-25-2007, 02:04 AM

Even real people often aren't easy to squeeze into a type, but people do it any, so the same can be made to work with fictional characters. fictional characters are often based off archetypes and such, but those can be fitted into types if someone really wants to.

Usehername · 09-25-2007, 02:28 AM

not to mention that tv shows have multiple writers that rotate, and thus would all add their own personal spins on how the characters would behave = blending/overlap of types depending ont he writers.

ygolo · 09-25-2007, 05:24 AM

In a strange way, I think good fictional characters are more "typed" than real people are.

My theory (all-out, blind guess) is that when writers try to create a realistic person, what they end up with, is a symbolic version of a person (perhaps a Jungian archetype?). Also, I believe, it are these very "symbolic people" (the "persona's" of famous individuals and the "symbolized" versions of people known to those who created type theory) who form the basis for type theory.

I hope you can parse that. If not I can rephrase.

09-24-2007, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
RansomedbyFire Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Type: ISTJ Location: South Carolina Posts: 172	Do Fictional Characters Have to Have a Type? While I was reading your responses to my questions about Seinfeld, Becker, and House's types, I got to thinking... Is it possible to make a fictional character that either doesn't have a type or can easily change type as the author pleases? Do you know of any fictional characters that defy being typed like this? __________________ By the way, I'm the girl in the picture, lol.... happily married though, so don't even...

09-24-2007, 11:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Natrushka Pareo cattus Join Date: Jun 2007 Type: INTJ Posts: 1,211	Spock seems to defy typing, not quite INTP, INTJ or ISTJ. __________________ This signature left intentionally blank. Really.

09-25-2007, 12:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Varelse Wait, what? Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTP Location: Sleep Deprivation Posts: 1,736	I'd think that an idealized character would defy typing, through showing the strong points of various types, without the weak points. A stereotype might also be difficult. A flawed character might be easier to type, and I'd think that most of such could be assigned a rough type. I just realized my Oblivion char is probably ISTJ. Carry on. __________________ We are not poets We have no right to make amendments

09-25-2007, 12:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jennifer The Doctor is IN Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INtP Location: Free at last. Posts: 14,307	It depends on the type of story. Comedies in particular often use characters to fulfill roles rather than having personalities. The same goes with some allegories and mythical stories. On the other extreme, sometimes a character can be so fully realized or mature that it's well-rounded and capable of different function usage, making it difficult to see what type it started out. __________________ Blog: Seasons of Mist

09-25-2007, 02:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Usehername Pwning Life Since 1986 Join Date: May 2007 Type: INTJ Location: XC ski and fort-building heaven Posts: 1,975	not to mention that tv shows have multiple writers that rotate, and thus would all add their own personal spins on how the characters would behave = blending/overlap of types depending ont he writers. __________________ You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body. Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason once accepted, despite your changing moods. C.S. Lewis

09-25-2007, 02:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Zergling Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTx Location: Champaign, Ill Posts: 1,378	Even real people often aren't easy to squeeze into a type, but people do it any, so the same can be made to work with fictional characters. fictional characters are often based off archetypes and such, but those can be fitted into types if someone really wants to.

09-25-2007, 05:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
ygolo My termites win Join Date: Aug 2007 Type: intp Location: North of somewhere (so not the south pole) Posts: 3,203	In a strange way, I think good fictional characters are more "typed" than real people are. My theory (all-out, blind guess) is that when writers try to create a realistic person, what they end up with, is a symbolic version of a person (perhaps a Jungian archetype?). Also, I believe, it are these very "symbolic people" (the "persona's" of famous individuals and the "symbolized" versions of people known to those who created type theory) who form the basis for type theory. I hope you can parse that. If not I can rephrase. __________________ sloan+ Rxua\|I\|; primary Inquisitive; R(82%)L(52%)U(62%)A(54%)I(86%) CTO of IPTN (see Maverick's Sig.) and member of Maverick's Biker Club. Accept the past. Live for the present. Look forward to the future. My Blog I linked some of your blogs; if you feel that is inappropriate, please let me know.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fictional SPs/SJs	Uberfuhrer	The SJ Guardhouse	36	05-07-2009 03:57 PM
Type the Star Trek Characters	Dark Razor	Popular Culture and Type	33	04-03-2009 05:20 PM
Typing Seinfeld Characters	RansomedbyFire	Popular Culture and Type	22	01-04-2009 04:30 AM
Fictional NTs	Uberfuhrer	The NT Rationale	221	10-12-2008 05:13 AM
Making characters fit	ygolo	MBTI (tm), Enneagram, and other personality matrices	4	09-21-2007 01:40 PM