Meursault MBTI Personality Type
Personality
What personality type is Meursault? Meursault is an ISTP personality type in MBTI, 9w8 - sp/sx - 954 in Enneagram, RCUEN in Big 5, SLI in Socionics.
To clarify from the beginning, when I read this book a year ago, I was also sure he was a sp9. However, looking back at his characterization as well as Naranjo’s typing of him, I got convinced of sp5. “I may not have been sure about what really did interest me, but I was absolutely sure about what didn't.” “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday; I can't be sure.” “She was wearing a pair of my pajamas with the sleeves rolled up. When she laughed I wanted her again. A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn't mean anything but that I didn't think so. She looked sad. But as we were fixing lunch, and for no apparent reason, she laughed in such a way that I kissed her.” Firstly, it is crucial to differentiate the two triads taking under consideration, the gut and the head. The gut triad is defined by the emotion of anger, in the case of E9 the suppression of anger. Overall, the gut triad identifies with the physical body itself. By comparison, the head triad, the mental body, perceives the world as threatening and is defined by said fear and thus moves away from people. Specifically, E5 feeling coerced by outside relationships, they retreat into an inner, mental world. > The difference is that between a resignation away from people (isolation) and a resignation with participation (contactfulness) which implies the contrast between a non-generous and an abnegated characteristic, respectively. > Most characteristic, however, is the contrast between generosity of E IX and the limited availability, cooperation and support volunteered by E V. Meursault is characterized by his indifference towards the outside, meaning the people that care for him, the morality of the world, the social ideals, thus being a “Stranger” to the world itself. Even when he complied with societal accords, such as marrying his girlfriend, saying “naturally” he would, he simply attempted to conform to them out of an attempt to not be overwhelmed. He is in complete isolation from his own experiences, making the narration a simple, raw description of what is happening from a detached position. I would also like to add that the method of narration of concrete facts which has led others and me to the idea of E9 because of lack of discernment and pure sensational descriptions, are merely a choice of Camus to let the audience interpret Meursault's actions. Nevertheless, Meursault’s withdrawal from relationships and love fits perfectly E5 defense against the world: self-distancing. His distances especially from societal standards was especially obvious during his trial. The court instead of focusing on his crime, focused on him as a threat to social order along with rational order. I think the subtype being self-preservation is quite clear, considering that the character is often characterized by breaking his relationship between emotions and the world itself and creating a safe, mental space. This typing was suggested by Naranjo in the book Transformation Through Insight, pages 245-249. The book can be found in this linktree (https://linktr.ee/mel.phleg.mel) for anyone that cares to read a more elaborate explanation and analysis of his character, since I do not find my explanation concrete enough. Sources: Character and Neurosis - Claudio Naranjo The Enneagram Of Passions And Virtues - Sandra Maitri Avaricia: Mezquinos, arrogantes e indiferentes Transformation through insight - Naranjo Claudio
Biography
The title character is Meursault, a French man (characterised by being largely emotionally detached, innately passive, and anomic).
