Character-Driven vs Plot-Driven Stories – An INTJ’s Take

Arvid Walton 11 Comments

INeverForgetPromises asked: if you were reading a literary work, what would hook you more, a plot-driven story or a character-driven story? Do you prefer complex plots with subplots in them or a simple plot with something deep underneath (take hills like white elephants for example)?

Im sorry if I’m asking too many questions, its just that I want to pick at your brain a little bit. Plus, you kinda remind me of my INTJ best friend :)

I personally prefer character-driven stories. However, any well-done character-driven story is subsequently going to have an excellent plot. It may not follow a typical arc, but as long as the characters behave realistically, the plot is also going to move forward in a realistic way.

If you look at any piece of Shakespeare’s work, you’ll realise that every last bit of it is character driven. His plots are fantastic, but they are always driven by the motivations of his characters.

The Ender’s Game Series is another good example of a character-driven storyline in which there is no absence of complex plots and subplots. I could think of a million other examples, but I’ll leave it at that.

Any story that has an interesting and well-developed character who is facing a very real conflict will necessarily end up also having an amazing plot.

Now, I enjoy a story with an intricate plot, but if the characters are boring the story becomes empty. I get bored reading Dan Brown because his writing features incredibly complicated plots with hardly any character development.

Orochimaru: ENTP

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Lucien Carr: ISFP

Arvid Walton 7 Comments

 Kill Your Darlings

Lucien Carr ISFP | Kill Your Darlings #MBTI #ISFP

Introverted Feeling (Fi):  Lucien Carr was a rebellious, anti-establishment youth who detested commonality and tradition. Oft times, he was rebellious just for the sake of being differing from the norm, but also to make a statement against living a life that wasn’t your own. “Lu” Carr, as he was known, had a profound influence on everyone with whom he associated, among them, Allan Ginsberg, whom he taught all manner of crass vocabulary. Continue reading →

Tris Prior: ISTP

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Guest post by Occam’s Chainsaw, INTJ

Divergent, Veronica Roth

Tris Prior ISTP| Divergent #MBTI #ISTP

Ti: Tris analyses the situation before leaping to action. She primarily uses common sense, and it shows—especially in the way how she’s constantly scolding herself whenever her ‘irrational’ feelings overwhelm her, and she would never let herself to be led around by them, not under any circumstances. She suppresses her emotions because of her craving for staying true to her own logical system at all times. Tris doesn’t have a tendency to organize her thoughts outside herself—neither verbally nor visually—because she struggles through complex problems in silence, within her head. She always thinks of something, then acts on it without telling anyone about it, for example when without a word she went to climb the Ferris wheel. Tris also spends a great deal of time analysing herself for better understanding of herself, and to determine what her intentions were when doing some of her acts, for instance when she went back to the net and recalled the moment when she jumped off the rooftop—she analysed the scenario and came to the conclusion that she hadn’t done it to be like the Dauntless, but because she had already been like them and wanted to show herself to them, while simultaneously acknowledging a part of herself that Abnegation demanded that she hides. Continue reading →

Do INTJs like INFPs?

Arvid Walton 13 Comments

Sofia V.N. asked: Hi I am and INFP and there is this really interesting INTJ named Katie at my school and my close friend Shannon is now really good friends with her. I really want to hang out with Shannon again but she is always with Katie (Now I don’t want to be misconstrued she can be friends with who ever she wants) but I never know what to saw  to Katie because she always has this very menacing face and I can’t compose and sentence that she will be interested in. I would just like to know what I should talk to her about and what conversational topic she would be interested in. Also if INTJS like us INFPS.

Sorry that this was more me seeking advice then me asking a question.

Sofia V.N.

Since I don’t know Katie, I have no idea what topics of conversation she would be interested in regardless of whether she’s an INTJ or not. MBTI type does not dictate a person’s hobbies or interests. It merely influences how their thought process works.

Do all INTJs like all INFPs? No.

Do some INTJs dislike INFPs? Yes.

Do some INTJs love INFPs? Yes.

There are plenty of INFPs that I enjoy being around, and there are also a fair number that I can’t stand. In my experiences, it really depends on the relative maturity of each of the people in question.

John Keating: ENFP

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Guest post by Occam’s Chainsaw, INTJ

Dead Poet’s Society

John Keating ENFP | Dead Poets Society #MBTI #ENFP

Ne: ‘Carpe diem’—the most important thing Keating taught his students. He encouraged them to seize the day by taking every opportunity that came their way. He was forever telling them to think in a unique way, and to look at things from various perspectives. He told them not to follow the rules the books set, but instead to be creative and come up with their way of doing things. He firmly believed that words have the power to change the world—he said, “no one is very tired; you are exhausted“, or “instead of very sad, use morose.” Keating not only talked about different perspectives, but also demonstrated them, for example through his out-of-the-box teaching style, like standing on his desk. Continue reading →

Sam Winchester: INFJ

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Guest Post by Occam’s Chainsaw, INTJ

Supernatural

Sam Winchester INFJ | Supernatural #MBTI #INFJ

Ni: Sam is the one to do all the researches, and it’s partially because his Ni makes him patient to dig deeply enough to get the desired amount of information and to also distinguish the needed details. He has premonitions/impressions which help him foresee the future. For instance, he sensed something was off in Home, when he insisted they stayed there in front of their childhood house to see if something would happen even after purging (and he was right about the premonition). Sam also struggled throughout his childhood, especially when he hit his teens, due to his strong aim to which he stuck strictly. It was also the reason why he didn’t get on well with the rest of his family. Sam is the one to tell which information is important for the case, and which is the one they can discard. Continue reading →

Dr. Lisa Cuddy: ESTJ

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House MD

Arthur Goring ENTP | An Ideal Husband MBTI

Te: Cuddy is an organizer who likes to be in charge, thus the never ending power struggle between herself and House. She prioritizes her time and is a bit of a workaholic, though certainly not to the point of House. That said, she’s also pro at delegating. Before committing to any medicinal procedure, she asks House for evidence. Her primary focus is on getting things done and shows care by doing things for people. She keeps House at the hospital primarily for his usefulness (that’s the only reason she doesn’t fire him). She’s also fairly unaffected by House’s sexist remarks. Continue reading →

Steve Rogers (Captain America): ISFJ

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Guest post by Shubham, ENTP

Marvel Universe

Captain America ISFJ | The Avengers#MBTI #ISFJ

Introverted Sensing (Si): Captain America is known to be ‘the old man’ who likes to stick to his old traditions and tactics (as we can see when all the avengers are using the newest Stark-pad he is still using his old notebook to record things and in civil war when his teammates accuse him of being attached to his old ways). Captain also has a very good memory as when he fights Bucky, he (Bucky) says “still got the old moves, huh?” He also remembers how to operate hydra technology that existed about a hundred years ago. Captain is of course an outdated person (being asleep for 70 years) he quickly senses that something is wrong with the fake hospital he is in just by looking at the radio and the texture of the bed, showing that he is really in tune with his inner senses. Continue reading →

Princess Leia Organa: ESTJ

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Guest post by Andrew, ENTJ

Star Wars

Princess Leia ESTJ | Star Wars #MBTI #ESTJ

Extroverted Thinking (Te): Leia never misses an opportunity to take charge of any situation; she even takes command of a rescue mission when she is the one being rescued!  She is a no-nonsense organizer who is completely comfortable commanding soldiers on the front lines of a war.  Leia speaks and acts in a direct fashion; she doesn’t mince her words when she has an opinion, and her first instinct on seeing stormtroopers enter her room is to shoot at them.  She is even direct when she is being stealthy; when disguising herself to sneak into Jabba’s palace and demanding a high price for delivering Chewbacca to him, she convinces Jabba to accept it by threatening his life. Continue reading →

Theoden: ISTJ

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Guest post by E. J, INTJ

Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien

movies-the-lord-of-the-rings-actors-bernard-hill-theoden-scene-the-two-towers_wallpaperswa.com_63

Dominant Si: Theoden’s goal in life is to be a great king in the tradition of his famous ancestors. This desire drives both his good and bad decisions. Wormtongue never corrupts Theoden: rather, he convinces Theoden that Wormtongue’s advice will best safeguard Rohan’s legacy. When Gandalf comes and helps Theoden to realize the depth of Wormtongue’s treachery, some of Theoden’s first concerns focus on the protection of his family line and the royal hall his ancestors built. Theoden faithfully acts the part of a traditional king of Rohan as he battles Saruman and, later, the forces of Sauron. Dying on the battlefield, he expresses his satisfaction that he will not need to be ashamed in his ancestors’ company.  Continue reading →

Natasha Romanov (Black Widow): ISTP

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Guest post by Kerissa, INFJ

The Marvel Universe

Natasha Rominov (Black Widow) ISTP | The Avengers #MBTI #ISTP

Ti: Doesn’t have any drive to be in charge or monitor progress unless it directly relates to what she’s doing. She’s perfectly willing to work under someone, such as Fury or Steve Rogers. She doesn’t willingly express her feelings until they’re drawn out of her, as shown in Winter Soldier. She makes decisions based on logic rather than feelings: in Avengers, when Hawkeye was roaming around the helicarrier brainwashed, she agrees to track him down and take him out because she was able to, despite her reluctance to fight her friend and the fact she was visibly shaken from her encounter with the Hulk. Continue reading →

Is it possible to have 2 Personalities?

Arvid Walton 8 Comments

Izzat asked: Based on your research, Is it possible to have 2 personality types?

Are you familiar with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)? How about…Multiple Personality Disorder? The answer is yes, but not under normal circumstances.

Unless you have gone through massive levels of trauma– the answer to your question is no.

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