Key Takeaways
- 16Personalities considers Elizabeth Bennet to be an Assertive ENFJ. The verdict came after readers made cases for personality types ranging from ENTP to ISTP in our poll about Pride and Prejudice’s heroine.
- Elizabeth Bennet shows the Extraverted trait through the energy she gains from balls, new acquaintances, and lively conversation. Her wittiest dialogue tends to appear when she has an audience.
- Elizabeth’s disregard for convention and her wandering imagination reveal the Intuitive trait. Her Feeling trait shows in decisions guided by emotion, like walking miles through mud to care for her sister Jane.
- The Judging trait appears in how steadfast Elizabeth’s opinions are. That steadfastness helps her refuse Mr. Collins but also blinds her to the true natures of Darcy and Wickham.
- Elizabeth’s Assertive Identity keeps her self-esteem steady, even after Mr. Darcy’s famous snub. Instead of dwelling on the insult, she turns it into a funny story for her friends.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published as the follow-up to a reader poll – so “last week,” below, refers to that poll. Years on, readers are still weighing in down in the comments.
The Reader Debate over Elizabeth Bennet’s Personality Type
Last week we asked you, dear readers, to share your opinions on the personality type of Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. We were blown away by the responses that the article got – some thoughtful, some funny, and some totally surprising.
If you missed last week’s article, you can find it here: “What Personality Type Is Elizabeth Bennet? (You Tell Us!)”
Many of you speculated that Elizabeth’s personality type was the ENTP (Debater), some thought she was the ENFP (Campaigner), and others felt she was the ENFJ (Protagonist). We heard suggestions ranging from INFJ (Advocate) to ISTP (Virtuoso). Some of the most insightful debates centered on whether Elizabeth was a Prospecting or Judging type – does she keep her options open, or does she stand firm in her opinions? – and there were plenty of diverging opinions on where she fell on the Feeling or Thinking spectrum (deciding with the heart or the head) too.
One reader noted that it’s hard to type a fictional character, because if we like the character (and many of us are Elizabeth Bennet fans!) we might want to assume they share our personality type. Another reader said that, even if it’s hard to be 100% objective, it’s still a fun thought experiment.
So, with that in mind, what personality type do we at 16Personalities think suits Elizabeth Bennet?
We consider Elizabeth Bennet to be an Assertive ENFJ personality type. Here’s why:
The Case for an Extraverted (E) Elizabeth Bennet
Extraverted personalities draw their energy from other people – and Elizabeth shines in the presence of company. Sure, she enjoys spending time on her own, but the prospect of a ball puts her in “the highest spirits.” Moreover, her energy seems heightened whenever she’s meeting someone new or engaging in conversation, which is why so many lines of her dialogue are witty to the point of being worthy of laughing out loud.
How Elizabeth Bennet Shows the Intuitive (N) Trait
Elizabeth’s disregard for convention and interest in broader principles mark her as someone with the Intuitive personality trait – drawn to ideas and possibilities more than concrete details. Plus, she demonstrates a tendency – not uncommon among Intuitive types – for her mind to wander. For example, there’s one priceless moment when Mr. Darcy asks whether her mind is in “the present” and she replies yes – but she doesn’t even realize what she’s said because “her thoughts had wandered far from the subject.”
Elizabeth Bennet’s Feeling (F) Decision-Making
When it comes to making decisions, Elizabeth goes with her feelings. That’s why she walks all those miles in the mud to see her sister Jane – even though, as another sister remarks, this “impulse of feeling” is unreasonable and out of proportion.
Steadfast Opinions: Elizabeth Bennet’s Judging (J) Trait
Let’s be clear – the Judging personality trait doesn’t mean that someone is judgmental. Instead, it points to someone who tends to be focused and steadfast in their opinions. This certainly is the case with Elizabeth, and although her steadfastness serves her well in many instances – for example, giving her the resolve to turn down Mr. Collins – it also blinds her to the true nature of Darcy and Wickham.
What Makes Elizabeth Bennet Assertive (A)
Elizabeth is stung when Mr. Darcy first snubs her – refusing to dance with her because she is “tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.” That said, her self-esteem isn’t unduly affected by any external judgment. Almost immediately, she transforms Darcy’s snub into a humorous story she can tell her friends – “for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.”
What Elizabeth Bennet Reveals About ENFJ Personalities
Elizabeth Bennet is a wonderful example of an Assertive ENFJ because she dispels common misunderstandings about this personality type. ENFJs are noted for being principled – and, as a result, some people think of them as humorless or duty-bound. But Elizabeth reminds us that they can be lively and funny, delighting in the world even if they find themselves at odds with societal expectations or prevailing opinions.
Learning from Elizabeth Bennet’s Journey
Spirited and warm-hearted, Elizabeth Bennet is among the best-loved characters of all time. Although she is an Assertive ENFJ, readers of every personality type can learn from – and enjoy! – her journey toward open-mindedness, self-discovery, and love.
Do you agree with our assessment, or do you see Elizabeth Bennet as the embodiment of another personality type? Let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more about personality types and how they’re used in creative ways, here are some more insights on our website!
- Mr. Darcy’s Personality Type Revealed
- Personality Theory in Fiction Writing I: Making Characters Personal
- Personality Theory in Fiction Writing II: Employing Type Theory
- Personality Theory in Fiction Writing III: Boundaries and Breaking the Rules
- Personality Theory in Fiction Writing IV: The Depths of Evil – “Bad Guys”
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