INFJ Characters

Walter Mitty is a daydreamer. And he takes daydreaming to an extreme that many (though probably not all) INFJs can relate to. While some INFJs are pretty comfortable with their extroverted side, most of them are most comfortable inside their heads. For those who are more like Walter at the beginning of his story, the world in their imagination is the one they care most about. He’s a very relatable character, especially because when he does to choose to engage with the real world it’s generally for something artistic or for a person he cares about.

Deeply intuitive about people, Lupin eschews the traditional teaching methods of his peers and opts for individualized methods. He’s capable of seeing things about other people that they don’t even realize about themselves. He quietly guides his students towards their potential without being overbearing or forceful. He seems to help students realize their worth without them even realizing he had a hand in it. He’s very aware of other people’s feelings but struggles to stand up for himself at times – willingly sacrificing his teaching position because he wants to protect his students. His insight into people and his genuine warmth and consideration with others puts him firmly into the INFJ camp.

Saruman’s Fe directs him to see inequity in how people are treated, in opportunity, and in status. He is actually very emotionally aware of others. At a point he did care about his duty and thought what the wizards were doing was right. But his Ni combined with Fe leads him to be disenchanted. He sees social hypocrisies. He wants to believe the myths of the world, the idealism, but he doesn’t see them in reality.  He no longer believes in the race of Men. He explicitly states this. Saruman sees them as greedy and those who mistreat each other and the world. As guardian of the Elves (who are leading) and Men, when you don’t believe in what you are guarding, what is the point? But he doesn’t realize even within himself that his idealism, his disenchantment, his emotions are what lead him down the path he goes.

All Sayuri’s major decisions in this story are motivated by her relationship with other people (first her sister and then, primarily, the Chairman). Similarly, INFJs tend to make decisions based on what’s best for others and how their decisions will influence the relationship. Most likely an INFJ herself, Sayuri also has one of the “superpowers” that comes with using Extroverted Feeling. Her ability to read other people and adapt to different social situations gives her the ability to connect even with a man who disapproves of geishas. It also gets her into some awkward situations because she becomes so good at acting as a chameleon that it’s hard for others to know what she really wants, which is another thing many INFJs struggle with.

Atticus Finch becomes a role model for his children because of his belief in the equal value of people regardless of their outside appearance or the color of their skin. Finch has an insight into human nature and will stop at nothing to fight for his vision of a better world – even if he believes equality will probably never happen in his lifetime. Emotionally mature, driven INFJs will relate to his calm, focused determination – even when he’s ridiculed or scorned. They will also relate to how he believes every individual, young child, or grown man, is worth trying to understand. His focus on the big picture, on treating all humans with dignity and respect, and his empathy for every individual is something that all INFJs should aspire to emulate.

The title character for this story is not content to conform to society’s norms. She’s independent minded and strong willed, yet also models the gentleness typical of so many INFJs. Jane is quiet and self-controlled with depths of feeling and passions that many around her don’t see. INFJs often have strong convictions related to their personal moral and spiritual beliefs, and Jane Eyre is no exception. Much of the plot turns on her decision to stay true to her personal convictions even when it becomes difficult. Though INFJs won’t all share Jane’s particular religious views, we can identify with her commitment to what she believes is right.

Like many INFJs, Elizabeth doesn’t blindly conform to social norms. She has her own ideas and opinions, and she values them highly enough to act on them. She’s not shy about voicing her opinions or about living in a way doesn’t quite line-up with the way society tells her she’s supposed to act (this is often something INFJs want, but are hesitant to do in real-life). Elizabeth’s courage and conviction makes her a relatable character. And so does her stubbornness. Though INFJs are very good at seeing different perspectives, we can still rush to judgments in certain circumstances. Elizabeth does this when she learns from Mr. Wickham that Mr. Darcy treated him unjustly. She jumps to defend her friend against injustice before checking to make sure that he was telling the truth. Once she learns she’s wrong, though, she admits it and corrects the mistake. That’s not easy for anyone to do, including INFJs, but mature INFJs value harmony in their relationships enough to do the difficult work of reconciliation.

Plutarch Heavensbee has the charm and long-term vision that INFJs in high power often emulate. He used his knowledge of other people’s emotions to manipulate President Snow and ingratiate himself into the Capitol authorities. But in the end, he betrayed them all and fought for freedom alongside Katniss Everdeen. His long-term plans and strategies are complex, intricate, and brilliant. But he’s also deeply in tune with people and can sense what will or won’t motivate them. He often has just the right words to say in a given situation to get people on his side.

Galadriel has keen intuitive abilities that set her apart from the rest of the elves. She can see into people’s hearts and guess their motives, feelings, and unique potential. She uses this gift to comfort, guide, and gently mentor people towards their long-term purpose. She is a firm defender of the forces of Good and Light and believes that love has no boundaries or limits. She believes in Frodo when other people struggle to do so, and has a great deal of heart and sympathy for the weakest creatures in Middle-Earth.

Alyosha Karamazov from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov is recognizable as an INFJ from his first introduction. He is a quiet man loved by almost everyone but understood by few. Alyosha comes across to others as remarkably naive but the narrator assures us Alyosha is actually highly intelligent and worthy of being the novel’s hero. Since we see Alyosha through the narrator’s eyes, we don’t get to see the thought process behind his sudden decisions to leave school or visit his estranged father or enter a monastery. But it’s clear there’s a great deal of thoughtfulness and intuitive musings behind his decisions. Another thing INFJs will relate to his how Aloysha approaches conflict – he hates it and feels all the awkwardness and shame that the people who are arguing feel (or should feel).

Louise Banks is very concerned with context and understanding the whole picture of something rather than how a situation appears on the surface. As an INFJ she knows how important it is to look at things from multiple perspectives and angles. Slow to jump to conclusions, she tries to examine things deeply before moving forward and potentially causing harm. She has a gentle, understanding personality and can even extend her empathy to the aliens she’s trying so desperately to communicate with. She frequently has visions of the future, and gut feelings about the real implications of things. INFJs, if you decide to watch this movie (which you should), be sure to be prepared emotionally – this is a beautiful movie but also emotionally impactful.