here are some books i’ve read that i think other type 5s will enjoy (A Lot). i’ve categorized these together in my head as either having a protag who is likely a type 5, or because it’s a book that i think a type 5 would just eat up because it gives you The Questions & you can make The Theories, here it is:

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. Harrow is probably a type 5, maybe with a 4 wing, or perhaps 4w5. Anyway, type 5s are built to love this book (me, i fucking love this book) because the whole time you just wonder wtf is going on and are only rewarded with more unanswered questions, it fucking rocks. so much material for theory building

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Unreliable narrator, you have my heart!!! and even better: IT GIVES US ANSWERS AT THE END (but don’t worry, there was plenty of time for Speculating)

The Southern Reach series by Jeff VanderMeer. like y’all this was made for us. everything about the mysteries of this world sucked me in. Area X itself leaves so much to chew on, but the characters are also so beautifully complex. I loved Acceptance specifically because it was so delicious to finally get into the minds we hadn’t yet had access to, Gloria & the lighthouse keeper, specifically! I absolutely loved this series, and I think any type 5 would. I also think the Biologist is absolutely 100% a type 5 (maybe 5w6) so reading Annihilation I was like woah…… relatable unfortunately lol

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. really, really enjoyed this & so glad i finally got around to reading it! SO many questions! Almost no answers! Protagonist is absolutely a type 5, and is consistently seeking answers through out the book, but rarely gets them. Her never ending quest to know more is pretty insatiable. real.

how do you set boundaries with the world around you? (do you assert yourself, do you blend in, do you please others, etc etc)

how do you act during stress? (are you more positive, do you stay calm and try to be "objective," do you get emotional, etc etc)

how do you act in anger? do you experience it often?

how do you act in shame? do you experience it often?

how do you act in fear? do you experience it often?

how do you act in relation to others in conflict? (withdraw, go-with-the-flow, upfront, etc)

how do you "get what you want?" (more demanding + straightforward, believe it should be earned, focus on self, etc etc)

The Enneagram of Personality is a tool that categorizes human behavior into nine types based on motivations, fears, and desires.

This is also a useful tool for characterization, mapping your characters into one of the enneagram types to further flesh them out.

Type 5 is formally known as The Investigator.

Below are remixed/flanderized characteristics of this type.

Quote: “How can I build myself a safe space?”

Background: Grew up in an isolated environment where they learned to depend on their intellect to navigate the world, retreating into their own minds when faced with external chaos.

Personality:

Snarky Intellectual: Often sarcastic or dry-witted, they use humor to protect themselves from the vulnerability of the unknown.

Terrified of the Unknown: Despite their intellectual prowess, they are anxious about things that lie beyond their understanding or control.

The Wizard Who Lives on the Edge of Society: Typically detached from the mainstream, they prefer solitude and often find it difficult to connect with others in a conventional way.

Misfit: They may be misunderstood or labeled as "eccentric" because they often operate outside societal norms.

Positive Arc: They come to realize that some things are unknowable and that not everything in life can be understood or controlled, accepting that living a full life requires engaging with uncertainty.

Negative Arc: In their pursuit of greater knowledge, they lose someone they care about.

Examples in Fiction:

Dr. Emmett Brown (Back to the Future)

Healthy Social 5

Milo Thatch (5w4 so/sp)- he rejects allot of the traditional notion about the E5 we usually see. He is open about his feelings and is extremely extroverted, always eager to share his knowledge . He is always able to express how he feels and live in the moment.

Barbara Gordon (5w6 so/sx)- Even at her lowest Barb is always capable of thinking of solutions. She's always there for the team and always open to helping others.

Dale Cooper (5w4 so/sx)- The most charismatic E5 in media. He was always up to learn about things and kept a very clear mind on what was going on in the moment. Always seemed to care about getting his facts right and was open to understanding others.

Unhealthy Social 5

Doctor Doom (5w4 so/sx)- I was very close to typing him as an SO3 but honestly after paying a bit more attention it's very clear he is an SO5. Dooms whole idea revolves around outsmarting Reed Richards and proving he is his superior drives him into obsession and isolation.

Beth Harmon (5w6 so/sp)- Her desire to be the best at chest drives her to obsession and as the series goes on we see her disintegrate towards 8 and eventually moving back to her normal self. In the end we see a Beth who has let go of her need of perfection in chest and just finds enjoyment in the sport.

Quan Chi (5w6 so/sp)- His desire for knowledge intertwines with his need for power and control. Eventually deciding to create and army of the undead and resurrect multiple people who have been long gone.

Healthy Self-preservation 5

Peter Parker TASM (5w6 sp/sx)- This version of Peter Parker is more focused on the look for knowledge and understanding. He is a bit less focused on the external world but rather his own personal understanding of his family. However he never rejected others and always stayed

Wednesday Adams (5w4 sp/so)- While she can be looked at as detached from others. In the second movie we see a Wednesday who clearly has her heart in the right place. She is caring and always looking for the vest for her family.

Ellie Chu (5w6 sp/so)- At the beginning of the film we see her reduce her self as much as possible trying to go by unnoticed. but as the movie goes on we see her become more open about her feelings and stop being afraid of creating connections with others.

Unhealthy Self-preservation 5

Donnie Darko (5w4 sp/so)-In the movie we see him spiral completely down and detach himself from others.

Walter White (5w6 sp/so)- Wanting to feel alive in the little time he has he decides to over indulge and let him self go. He disintegrates towards 8 a bit each season. In the end eventually loosing everyone.

Haymitch Avarnethay (5w6 sp/so)- Due to the effects the games had on him we see him make a slow move to 8. While he is Katniss mentor we see him improve himself and become more centered in reality.

Healthy Sexual 5

Simon Petrigrof (5w6 sx/sp)- In the beginning of F&C we meet back with him completely sad and focused on getting Betty back. He has comply withdrawn from others and grew to believe he didn't have ay value outside of getting with Betty. In the end of the show we see him make peace with Betty and moving on.

James (EOFW) (5w4 sx/sp)- He spent allot of time detached from others and due to this he believed he has APD. However when Alissa finds him they become close and form a bond that couldn't be broken. While their Journey has consequences they were able to come together to figure out in the end.

Alan Wake (5w4 sx/so)- While allot of his actions are morally dubious, his desire was always to share the stories he had to tell. And his love for Alice kept him sane in the dark place.

Unhealthy Sexual 5

Hannibal Lecter (5w4 sx/so)- His intense desire to have a relationship with Will Graham sends him spiraling down to the point of obsession.

Gendo Ikari (5w4 sx/so)- He completely withdraws from the world once he loses Yui and neglects Shinji in the process. He eventually tries to make the third impact happen in order to get over the core fear of enneagram 5.

An overview of an enneagram type. Not an expert. May change later.

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Center: Head/Thinking/Fear

Other triads: Competent, Withdrawn, Rejection

Basic motivation: To be competent, knowledgeable

Basic fear: Being useless and helpless

Wings: 5w4, 5w6

Disintegration/stress: 7

Integration/growth: 8

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Traits

- Strengths -

Insightful

Curious and observant

Analytical and rational

Independent

Innovative and inventive

- Weaknesses -

Detached and distant

Can isolate self too often

Intense, doesn't understand feelings

Nihilistic

Feeling incapable, incompetent

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Wings

- 5w4 -

5 and 4 are withdrawn types so a 5w4 is a very internalized type. 5w4s often need a lot of alone time to reflect and recharge. This type is a deep and sensitive thinker, very observant and detail oriented. Can be very focused and attentive. They work hard when it comes to things they are passionate about.

- 5w6 -

The 6 wing makes 5 a little more open and receptive to people. They're quite organized and structured with a plan for pretty much everything, considering 5's need to be knowledgeable and 6's need to be prepared all the time. They can be creative problem solvers and are quite practical.

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Disintegration: 7

Disintegrating to 7 shows up in a 5 as scatterbrained behavior. Easily distracted and impulsive. Can have a hard time concentrating as their mind is filled with too much and keeps jumping from one thing to the next. A disintegrated 5 is very restless.

Integration: 8

Integration to 8 means a 5 is learning to become more comfortable in participating in the real world. Fear no longer makes them want to hide away all the time. They are capable of living outside of their minds and fully living in reality. They don't get stuck analyzing choices over and over again to the point of paralysis - they learn to just do things regardless of their paranoia.

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Subtypes of 5

- Sp 5 -

Sp 5s are the most protective over their time and energy. They have clear boundaries they are not shy to set. Sp 5s have a need for independence and will not allow anyone or anything to take it away from them. This subtype is much more of an observer of life rather than a participant. They would rather focus their time and energy into personal projects that bring them life.

- Sx 5 -

Sx 5s are less concerned with boundaries as they seek to find a person who has a similar mindset like them. They want to find someone who can truly understand them so that the sx 5 can comfortably open up their private world to them. However, their independence can still make them fearful - it can take a lot of time for them to genuinely open up. They try to attract by having various interests and having interesting inner lives.

- So 5 -

So 5s want to be seen as competent and wise by others. They want to be seen as intellectual and so will be drawn to opportunities that allow them to showcase their knowledge and skills. However, their need to be alone conflicts with the desire to be viewed as an intelligent role model. They don't want to be overwhelmed by the world yet still want to participate in it. Although a social subtype, they may still struggle to connect with others, but they will still be drawn to like minded individuals.

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Enneagram list

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Side blogs:

Kpop astrology @rainy-astrology