#because I feel like so many people see Han as pure machismo

[onwardintolight]

Han Solo, ENFJ

For the second in my series of posts on commonly mistyped Star Wars characters because I just can’t help myself (see my first about Leia as an INFP instead of an ENTJ or ESTJ here), I’m moving on to our favorite scoundrel. Once again, I think people tend to base their typing of him on how he appears when he’s under stress (and also, in Han’s case, on who he pretends to be), rather than on how he actually reveals himself to be over the course of the movies.

This post was inspired by @charming-tothelast’s excellent post on Han’s character here, as well as this AMAZING conversation by @bestmixtapeintherecorder and @imrix.

Most people seem to type Han as either an ESTP or an ISTP. I admit that, when I first read the descriptions of both of those, they seemed to fit really well, particularly ESTP. Adventurous, thrives in the moment? Check. A knack for mechanics? Check. Charming? Check. Not particularly fond of rules? Check. Commitment issues? Well, yes, for an ESTP, but contrary to what many assume, I believe that Han, while certainly an adventurer, actually craves commitment as well.

I’m going to argue that, while Han may outwardly at times appear to be an ESTP, he’s actually a true ENFJ who is often in the Fe-Se loop, or otherwise in the grip of his Ti.

I’m going to be drawing evidence from not only the movies, but also what I see as widely accepted fanon (some of which may come from the original EU). While I will be drawing evidence from Disney canon, which on the whole I believe supports my argument (at times very clearly), I will not, however, be drawing from the kind of post-TFA fanon that contends Han was a terrible husband and father, as I think that’s a baseless assumption rooted in a mistaken, pop-culture view of Han.

First let’s take a look at each of the ENFJ cognitive functions and how Han exhibits them, and then I’ll do some further expounding.

Dominant Function: Extraverted Feeling (Fe) Han may constantly try to hide it, but he cares about people, a lot. In fact, throughout the movies and the books, we see him consistently attaching himself to people and doing everything he can to take care of them, at great personal cost. He talks a lot to the contrary, of course, and tries to make himself out to be a loner and a mercenary, but his actions show a person who, at his core, is drawn to people and motivated by his heart for others.

We see this in the way he constantly looks out for Luke and Leia throughout the original trilogy, anticipating their needs and dropping everything to take care of them (something that’s referenced over and over again throughout multiple books and comics). His giving up of his Imperial career when he was younger to rescue Chewie and his subsequent bond with the Wookiee is also evidence of this, as is the way he takes Rey and Finn under his wing in TFA. We also see it in Bloodline in his mentor relationship with Greer. These are just a few examples; there are countless others throughout canon. Han may say he’s only out for himself, but the scores of people he takes under his wing like a mother hen speak to the contrary. Despite his blustering talk, he is happiest and most himself not when he is “solo” or seeking out sensory thrills (though the latter is definitely a part of who he is), but when he is in relationships where he can be a good friend or mentor, attending to the needs of the people he loves.

Fe-doms are empathetic and often have a good sense of what others are feeling. They are often more comfortable with and have a better understanding of others’ feelings than their own. While it’s hard to peer past Han’s words into his mind to see just how empathetic he is, a scene that I believe illustrates this perfectly is the famous “I love you” “I know” scene in Empire. In that moment, Han is entirely concerned about Leia. He senses her distress and wants to reassure her that he’s known what up until now she’s been unable to say. There may be several reasons why he doesn’t say “I love you” back: He may have already told her in the past, and consequently he thinks it’s more crucial for her to hear “I know” at this point. Or perhaps he’s gently trying to prepare her for the likelihood that this might be the end for him, and by withholding his “I love you” somehow make it easier for her to go on without him. There’s also the possibility that he may be somewhat confused about what he himself feels (I personally don’t think this is as likely, considering his longtime pursuit of her, but that’s an argument for another time). Either way, he shows an empathy and an emotional awareness in this scene that are in accordance with high Fe.

Han also exhibits Fe (together with his auxiliary function, Ni) in that he is excellent not only at reading people and picking up on the vibes of a room, but also at turning things to his favor through his interpersonal skills. He is charismatic, charming, and persuasive, and is often able to talk his way out of a bad situation. While he won’t hesitate to pull his blaster if necessary, he prefers harmony and will use his people skills to try and maintain it if he can.

People with high Fe tend to pay especial attention not only to other people, but to their physical surroundings. They often like to exert a degree of control and order over their personal spaces, preferring them to be just so. Han may exhibit this with his care and attention to the Millennium Falcon, and his protectiveness over it. He doesn’t take kindly to just anyone messing with his “baby.”

Finally, Han may say otherwise, but he cares deeply about others’ approval. This is partly why Leia’s barbs hit such a vein with him. Additionally, her comments such as the one about him being “quite a mercenary” in ANH really sting, not only because it’s a sign of her disapproval, but because it’s a reminder that he’s suppressing his best, most authentic, caring self.

Auxiliary Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni) Han frequently has hunches and acts on them, and those hunches often prove to be correct. He doesn’t tend to pay too much attention to objective logic, preferring to ignore the odds and follow his extremely well-honed intuition. He often gets a “bad feeling” about a situation and is proven right. Conversely, if he has a good feeling about it, he’ll jump into situations that other people might consider incredibly fool-hardy, such as flying into an asteroid field and landing inside an asteroid to evade Imperial ships. He is able to fly by the seat of his pants because his intuition is so good at giving him foresight and predicting outcomes. This, in concert with his other three functions, also makes him really good at sabacc.

People with auxiliary Ni often have their head in the future, aspiring to things and making plans. They also tend towards commitment. Because Han is often in a Fe-Se loop, we don’t see this as his preference at times (more on the loop later). However, I think we do see that in spite of himself, Han ends up committing to things. At first, he’s committed to the smuggler’s life, taking care of himself and his own (Chewie), and he struggles when the Rebellion pulls him away from that. His commitment to pay back Jabba and follow his previous dreams then wars with his desire to stay with the Rebellion. He ends up sticking around and eventually committing to the Rebellion, perhaps because it so deeply lines up with those core motivations of his Fe that he has trouble bringing himself to admit. Finally, he commits himself to Leia, marrying her and staying faithful (despite the rough spots and absences implied by TFA/new canon).

Tertiary Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se) While Han’s Ni ultimately leads him to commit, it’s his Se that often tries to tug him away. Han thrives on adventure, exploring and traveling the galaxy with Chewie, and he enjoys a good thrill. While this is definitely a part of who he is, it is even more overt the less emotionally healthy he is (see my thoughts on the Fe-Se loop below).

He is very in tune with his senses. He enjoys hands-on, sensory pursuits such as flying, racing, tinkering with his ship, and even (according to a lot of fanon) cooking. He generally prefers a hands-on approach to theorizing, and may forego planning and practical concerns in favor of just diving in. We see this many times, including in ANH when he chases stormtroopers down a corridor of the Death Star (note that his purpose for doing this is to divert them from Luke and Leia — in this case his Se is serving his Fe), and the “Hey, it’s me!” scene in ROTJ, when he impulsively attempts to take down several scout troopers on Endor. He’s a doer who lives in the moment, often dropping everything to go help someone or do something he thinks is right, such as on Hoth when he rushes out to look for a missing Luke, or in Aftermath: Empire’s End when he makes plans at a moment’s notice with Sinjir and Temmin to sneak off and go rescue Norra and Jas.

Inferior Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti) Han isn’t particularly concerned with impractical theories. As I’ve already said, he prefers using his intuition (Ni) to straight-up logic. That doesn’t mean he never uses critical analysis, though, particularly when there’s a concrete, practical application (such as all the theoretical and technical knowledge it takes to fly his ship well).

The inferior function often rears its ugly head during times of stress, taking over for one’s other functions and making someone behave in ways they otherwise wouldn’t.

According to this post by @mbti-notes, particular stressors for an ENFJ would include “feeling misunderstood by others, feeling unappreciated or taken for granted or not taken seriously, being treated impersonally or dismissively, feeling an absence of trust, feeling pressure to conform to rules or standards that they disagree with, experiencing situations that do not provide closure, having relationships with unresolved issues/conflicts, feeling stifled and having no opportunity to apply skills/talents/abilities, having too many demanding deadlines or extra responsibilities… experiencing excessively negative disagreements that are perceived as personal attacks, being unable to persuade others or get their point across when necessary… dealing with uncooperative or aloof people…” etc.

In response to triggers such as these and others, an ENFJ with inferior Ti like Han would likely become cold and detached. They would tend to insist doggedly on their own views, refusing to open their minds to others’ perspectives. They might act out of spite and bitterly lash out at people. They might leap to conclusions, see themselves as a victim and become very critical of others when those people don’t meet their expectations for a relationship. And they might be tempted to just break things off or walk away if things go bad.

We definitely see this happen with Han. At the beginning of ESB, we find Han arguing with Leia, trying desperately to get her to admit to her feelings. He is hurt by her coldness and aloofness, frustrated by the failure of his expectations for their relationship, and probably generally feels unappreciated. He also may be feeling stifled, stuck on the base at Hoth with a Rebellion he’s still wrestling with being committed to. He snaps and decides he’s had enough. He determines to leave, but first he and Leia have a confrontation where both their inferior functions cause them to come out swinging, lashing out at one another with sarcasm and biting remarks. I’d guess that most of the times Han gets angry and snaps at Leia, especially in ESB, this is the cause.

Later, on Endor in ROTJ, Han confronts Leia after seeing her talking on the bridge with Luke. He immediately gets suspicious, afraid that Leia is in love with Luke instead. He’s afraid of being shut out, uncertain of the status of their relationship, and he takes her refusal to talk about it personally. He lashes out in anger. Leia, as an Fi user, needs time to process her emotions internally about her conversation with Luke before she can talk about it. Han has trouble comprehending this, and is tempted to walk away. However, when he gives himself a moment to calm down, he is able to sense how distressed she is, stop feeling victimized, and let his Fe take over as he comforts Leia.

The Fe-Se Loop You might be wondering, what about all the times Han shows disregard for people’s feelings, acts like a cynical, sarcastic jerk, and prefers flying around the galaxy to doing anything for anyone’s idealistic cause?

Well, again, truth is, we don’t see him actually doing this all that often, despite what he might say, especially as his character growth progresses over the course of the story. We do see this somewhat in ANH, and I think it can be explained by the fact that he’s in a Fe-Se loop.

Han has had a rough life. In order to survive, he’s learned to look out only for himself (and Chewie, once he enters the picture). As he says in the Han Solo comic, “Special people… they end up sticking their necks out and doing things that make them dead.” He’s had to be cynical, because being otherwise is dangerous. He’s learned how to play the game, and he does it well. Ironically, his Fe is part of what makes him so good at it — he can easily conform to act like others, and can fit in perfectly with the crowd of smugglers he hangs around. (I have a theory that Lando, unlike Han, is a true ESTP, and Han unconsciously imitates him in a lot of ways.)

Because of all this, he’s pushed down parts of himself, suppressing his dreams of being a hero, of committing to something bigger than himself. His compassion often leaks out, but he manages to keep a rein on the parts of him that are deemed “unsafe” most of the time.

Consequently, he finds himself in the “loop”. An ENFJ in the Fe-Se loop becomes heavily influenced by their Se, chasing sensory thrills and excitement even more than usual. They are impulsive, rash and competitive. Inside they may feel confused and insecure, but they push that down in favor of looking outward, and can live somewhat superficially according to whatever public persona they take on. They are very concrete, and may lack nuance and understanding when it comes to other people’s perspectives.  They may excuse harmful behavior because they don’t want to think too deeply about it. A lot of the features of an inferior Ti grip may be present; they may be oversensitive and feel victimized, and lash out at the slightest provocation. In short, they might look just like Han at the beginning of ANH.

I think Han is so used to being in the loop that it takes some effort to get out of it. And even once he’s out, it can be tempting to go back in, especially during times of stress — it has, after all, been his safety net for so long.

This is why we see him struggling at times to commit. I think this may also explain some of his struggle in the Aftermath series with settling down after the war. He’s just not used to it, and all the changes, while good, are stressful. It will take time for him to adjust. And even then, he’s going to need an outlet for his Se (which he later finds in racing and his shipping company).

The loop is why he’s often typed as an ESTP or ISTP. When he’s in the loop, he looks more like one of these types (only with a more negative and unhealthy spin). Even when he’s not really in the loop, it’s part of the persona he tries to project. This is how much of pop culture tends to see him. But as soon as you look deeper, beyond the facade, a very different Han Solo comes to light.

I want to wrap up by taking a look at the (absolutely wonderful) Han Solo comic, because it illustrates everything I’ve been trying to say here. (Obviously, the following has some major spoilers.) During the whole comic, Han has a running monologue about who he is and what he wants out of life. “The way I look at life has always been simple,” he says. “You can run, or you can die. Dying ain’t an option. Which means I’ve gotten real good at fighting and running. Seems like that’s all I ever do.” Han has clearly learned to be a certain way in order to survive. Running and fighting don’t leave a lot of room for compassion and idealism. And yet: throughout the comic, we consistently see him doing selfless things, looking out for other people, and doing the right thing because he knows it’s the right thing, even though it costs him.

Later he says, “All I ever wanted was freedom. I ain’t noble. Definitely not a hero. I got one priority, and only one. Me.” That may be what he’s telling himself, but the panels those words are on tell a completely different story as he puts himself on the line, telling someone with a grudge against Chewbacca to shoot him instead.

We also see him standing up for other people who had previously mocked him and put him in danger, mediating conflicts, using his empathy and intuition to discover the identity of a killer, putting his mission and the lives of a few Rebel spies above his chance of glory, and ultimately, sacrificing winning a race because he realizes what’s at stake for another pilot and decides it’s the right thing to do. At times, he literally can’t help but be selfless. If this comic shows us anything, it is that Han Solo is not the person he says he is.

While just a few pages earlier he’d previously referred to the Falcon as “home,” when the race is over, and the announcers are debating about whether the three winners (Han included) should compete further to earn the glory and prizewinnings or be content to split it, Han simply smiles, and says, “We did it, Chewie. Let’s go home”— and by “home” he means back to the Rebellion. I think in the Rebellion, he sees not only the home with others he’s secretly longed for, but also the place where he really can be a hero, where he can help people, be with his friends, follow his heart and do more than just survive.

The way he ends his monologue is revealing: “You create walls. You manufacture rules. You live a small life, while lying to yourself that you’re as open and free as the stars. You tell yourself the reason is survival. Good reason, right? But sometimes survival is about telling yourself lies… until you can’t lie anymore. And then you have to make a choice about who you really are and what’s worth living for. Lies are easier, that’s for sure.”

Han Solo is beginning to find out that he can’t lie about who really he is anymore — not to others, and not to himself. Han may be a “Solo,” but he is selfless at his core. Han may be an adventurer, but more than that, he is also a compassionate idealist who would do anything for the people he loves. For this and all the other reasons I’ve argued, I conclude that Han is best typed as an ENFJ.

#Han Solo #MBTI #ENFJ #Star Wars #SW meta #my SW meta #if possible I almost feel even more strongly about this one than the Leia one #because I feel like so many people see Han as pure machismo #they give him a bad rap #and a lot of times they love him for it #but I think they're so wrong #thoughts #writing

[pyrceval]

The Three R’s: Republicans, Reagan, and Russia.

For the record, before I proceed with my rambling and somewhat facetious post, I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I claim no part in any political party, as I believe the very idea of a political party is antithetical to the ideals behind this country.

The late seventies through the eighties were every bit as weird and schizophrenic a time as you can imagine. It was a time of growing social and geopolitical awareness, and yet it was also a time of growing mega corporations and greed. It was a time of bizarre fashion trends and giant hair. It was truly a strange and rapidly changing world.

Though we did not yet have the internet, news and information was starting to spread quicker across the globe than ever before. The advent of cable and satellite television, which became commonplace in most homes, and the news channels that then became available helped see to that. World events often became interwoven with cultural and entertainment events. Yet, it was still in many ways the last decade of innocence in the US. Innocence born of ignorance yes, but innocence nonetheless.

Anyone who grew up, or came of age as they say during that time period knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, three things to be true:

1. We absolutely would have flying cars by the year 2000.

2. Madonna was nothing at all like a virgin. and...

3. The Russian was the enemy of all good people in the world.

The Russian was a massive monster of a being. Ten feet tall, with rippling muscles and could bend steel bars in his bare hands. He could chew broken glass and nails with no problem. He was a virtually unstoppable beast, maybe not even human, with bulletproof skin and was determined to destroy the world and all of the good people within it.

Who, one wonders, could possibly stand up to such a beast? Well, that answer was simple: The American Cowboy.

Now, the proper period of cowboy and western movies and shows had of course passed. However, the idea behind the American Cowboy remained. He was a tough mans man. The kind that was intrinsically good simply because he was the American Cowboy. He was all grit, charm, machismo and willpower, possessing not an ounce of fear.

Clearly, I am being a bit cheeky here but this was, essentially, what the eighties gave us. These tropes were everywhere. The American Cowboy as the hero defeating the red threat was everywhere. From movies, to TV shows, to books and music and even comic books and cartoons. This was the narrative everywhere you turned. Oh, it needn't be an actual cowboy. It didn’t need be an actual Russian as the enemy. There could be, and were, stand ins where required.

We had the A-Team. McGyver. Michael Knight. John Mcclane. GI Joe. Even Han Solo and Captain Kirk. Almost to a T, across the board, they embodied the American Cowboy ideal. Full of swagger and arrogance, charm and charisma and unwavering when faced with the enemy that would do us harm. Again, not always The Russian per se, but something that was often a thinly veiled allusion to The Russian.

All of these ideas and ideals were being spoon fed to us for years. All under the guise of entertainment. The message, however, was clear. The country bought in to it, hook, line and sinker.

Now, through the lens of that cultural fascination, lets take a look at one President Ronald Reagan.

No other President in modern times oozed the persona of the American Cowboy like Reagan did. He virtually rode in on his high horse, six shooter on his hip and hat held high. He was absolutely THE American Cowboy ideal. Granted, he was an actor by trade and had the experience of playing actual cowboys in movies.

That is the same charisma and grit he brought to the presidency.

Reagan, as The American Cowboy, went toe to toe with The Russian. The battles, of course, were epic. Yet, The Cowboy never wavered. He stood up to The Russian at every turn. The Cowboy showed no fear. Had no doubts about his course. The American people cheered him on.

Reagans perceived legacy is as the man, who through pure strength of will, collapsed the Berlin wall. Though it occurred under his successor and years after he left office, Reagan is accepted as the one who brought down the Soviet Union. The American Cowboy had, for all intents and purpose, slain The Russian beast.

Now, I am not going to bother getting in to truth versus fiction in this particular post, because that isn't the point. The point here is entirely about what was perceived to be true. To this day, Republicans see Reagan as one of their greatest heroes. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a sitting Democrat in office that would deny him that legacy.

Whether truly earned or not, is irrelevant. That legacy is still accepted by most, particularly in the Republican party, today. The Republicans greatest hero is the man responsible for the defeat of Russia.

Again, to make sure we are all following this point: The Republicans absolutely hero worship President Ronald Reagan for defeating Russia. The greatest enemy of the U.S. as they were viewed throughout the 80's.

Once more, with feeling...The Republicans still claim their great hero, Ronald Reagan, to be a great hero because he defeated the greatest evil they saw in modern times...RUSSIA.

Are we following this point well enough now?

Lets fast forward to...well...now.

Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell are the current leaders of the Republican party. Both of these men have clear, demonstrable and well documented ties to Russia. The NRA, arguably the special interest group with the most sway among the Republican party, also has clear, demonstrable, and well documented ties to Russia.

So, to keep track here, the party who claim and worship the legacy of President Ronald Reagan...he who was the American Cowboy and the great hero of our time who defeated The Russian...is the same party today that is beholden to Russia.

Does anyone scratch their heads at this?

This is nearly one of the plots from the MCU. The evil organization is seemingly defeated, only to spring up years later in control of the same group that was seemingly responsible for its defeat. To make matters worse, the Republican party has had that happen twice! Two separate former enemies have infiltrated the Republican party and guided it off the rails. Both Russia, and Nazi white supremacist hate groups have done the same thing. Now, the two interests have co mingled so much within the party, it has become impossible to figure out what, if anything, the actual party might stand for today.

I do know one thing, however. The American Cowboy, the Republicans great hero of old, would absolutely not stand for the Russian involvement of today. In the 80s, had there been even the slightest hint of an insinuation that any politician, especially a Republican, had any sort of ties to Russia they would have been immediately dismissed from consideration if not outright actually tarred and feathered.

Today though, in the year 2019, both of the leaders of the party and the most powerful special interest group within the party are openly and undeniably connected to Russia.

Had you told a Republican from the 80's this would happen in the future, they would rightly never believe it to be possible. Had you shown Ronald Reagan that his party, while still claiming him as their hero, would one day straight up piss all over the legacy they claim to worship by getting in bed with his great enemy he would likely have just given up. What would be the point of his great victory and legacy if his party would just one day sell their very souls to the enemy he spent his presidency fighting?

Yes the self same people who had no trouble believing we would have flying cars within twenty years could never have imagined their party being taken over by the same people they were fighting against.

That should tell you something.

Republicans, your greatest hero would be very ashamed of what you have allowed to happen. If Republicans themselves still held on to any of their so called conservative values rather than falling prey to the inherent tribalism mentality the party system breeds they too would feel a great swell of shame and do something to correct the errors of their party.

#politics #republicans #trump #democrats