Holden Caulfield
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So Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye) most often gets typed IEE, ESI, and LSI. I'd agree with ESI and IEE. But as far as Enneagram, he most often gets typed 6w5. I'm convinced he's a 4 because the thing he seems to hate most about the world is "fakeness" and "phoniness."
I just can't see an E6 going to such strenuous lengths to defend their "authenticity" the way Holden does. I can only imagine them blending in and adapting perfectly, subtly logicking away all their inner problems--exactly the opposite of how Holden behaves.
He also shows "no concern for his future." The 6's fatal flaw is too much concern for his future, more an issue of indecision, analysis paralysis, than indifference.
Holden stays where he is forever and doesn't do anything to change it, more willing to die than to act.
Additionally, there's his interactions with others. I recall that Sexual Enneagram 4s are the only other type that can scare an Enneagram 8 into submission. Now a 6, when threatened, will still stand its ground a lot longer than many other types, only to fall to defeat under the 8 ultimately. Holden's tendencies to get involved in fights and lose does seem to line up with the 6......but if you recall his scrape with Stradlater in the beginning of the book, it's not a question of security. The fight begins when Holden calls Stradlater a moron because he considers Stradlater's relationship with Jane Gallagher to be too loveless and unsubstantial. Again, this is a situation where Holden overvalued authenticity ag the cost of his own well-being. Wouldn't a 6, when threatened, back down to protect hid security in a situation where there's no vital interest involved?
TL;DR I think Holden Caulfield is a 4 and not 6.
You Must Be Registered To Vote
So Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye) most often gets typed IEE, ESI, and LSI. I'd agree with ESI and IEE. But as far as Enneagram, he most often gets typed 6w5. I'm convinced he's a 4 because the thing he seems to hate most about the world is "fakeness" and "phoniness."
I just can't see an E6 going to such strenuous lengths to defend their "authenticity" the way Holden does. I can only imagine them blending in and adapting perfectly, subtly logicking away all their inner problems--exactly the opposite of how Holden behaves.
He also shows "no concern for his future." The 6's fatal flaw is too much concern for his future, more an issue of indecision, analysis paralysis, than indifference.
Holden stays where he is forever and doesn't do anything to change it, more willing to die than to act.
Additionally, there's his interactions with others. I recall that Sexual Enneagram 4s are the only other type that can scare an Enneagram 8 into submission. Now a 6, when threatened, will still stand its ground a lot longer than many other types, only to fall to defeat under the 8 ultimately. Holden's tendencies to get involved in fights and lose does seem to line up with the 6......but if you recall his scrape with Stradlater in the beginning of the book, it's not a question of security. The fight begins when Holden calls Stradlater a moron because he considers Stradlater's relationship with Jane Gallagher to be too loveless and unsubstantial. Again, this is a situation where Holden overvalued authenticity ag the cost of his own well-being. Wouldn't a 6, when threatened, back down to protect hid security in a situation where there's no vital interest involved?
TL;DR I think Holden Caulfield is a 4 and not 6.
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