Narrator's Mother Personality Type

Narrator's Mother Character Analysis

The narrator's mother in "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" by Ottessa Moshfegh is an enigmatic figure in the novel. While her presence is significant, she's known only through her daughter's memories and occasional phone conversations. Her character is important in understanding the narrator's mental state and her desire for isolation. The mother is described as a beautiful, glamorous woman who spends her days attending parties, shopping, and jetting off to exotic locations. She's seen as a distant figure who's more interested in maintaining her image and status than in being a nurturing parent. Her daughter describes her as detached, selfish, and emotionally unavailable. This lack of emotional connection contributes to the narrator's feelings of loneliness and a need to escape through sleeping pills. The relationship between the narrator and her mother is complicated. While the mother is not portrayed in a positive light, her absence has a profound effect on the narrator's mental health. The narrator points out the inherent unfairness of her mother's life: how people are attracted to her beauty and wealth without recognizing her lack of substance. This reinforces the narrator's desire to remove herself from society and retreat into a self-induced hibernation, where she can escape the superficiality she perceives in the world. In conclusion, while the mother in "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" is somewhat of a mystery, her presence plays a significant role in shaping the narrator's character and understanding of the world. Her absence and the narrator's feelings of isolation and detachment are a driving force behind the events of the novel. Ultimately, Moshfegh skillfully crafts the mother into a complex and nuanced character without ever directly showing her on the page.

What 16 personality type is Narrator's Mother?

Based on the characteristics of Narrator's Mother from My Year of Rest and Relaxation, it is possible that she could be an ESTJ (Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) personality type. ESTJs are known for being practical, logical, efficient, and focused on tradition, rules, and order. They may also have a strong sense of duty and responsibility towards their family and community. In the novel, Narrator's Mother appears to be a determined, no-nonsense woman who values hard work and success. She encourages her daughter to pursue a career in law, and is disappointed when she instead decides to drop out of college and take a break from her responsibilities. Narrator's Mother also appears to be somewhat rigid in her beliefs and expectations, and may struggle to understand her daughter's desire to escape her life and seek solitude. Overall, Narrator's Mother's ESTJ personality type may manifest in her practical, career-oriented attitude, her focus on structure and order, and her strong sense of duty towards her family. However, it's important to note that personality types are not definitive or absolute, and that individuals may exhibit traits and behaviors outside of their type.

Which Enneagram Type is Narrator's Mother?

Based on her portrayal in "My Year of Rest and Relaxation," it is likely that the Narrator's Mother is an Enneagram Type 2, also known as "The Helper." This manifests in her personality through her tendency to be overly concerned with the needs and wants of others, especially her daughter. She sacrifices her own well-being and desires to ensure that her daughter is taken care of and happy. This is evident in the way she constantly offers the Narrator food and tries to address her emotional needs, even when the Narrator is explicitly trying to distance herself from her mother. The Mother's desire to be needed and appreciated is also apparent in her reaction to the Narrator's attempts to be more independent and self-sufficient. Overall, the Mother's behavior demonstrates the classic traits of a Type 2, including a strong desire to be helpful and a fear of being unappreciated or rejected. It is possible that her behavior has contributed to the Narrator's own struggles with boundaries and sense of self, as she often feels smothered and controlled by her mother's attention. In conclusion, while Enneagram types are not definitive or absolute, the traits associated with Type 2 appear to be a strong match for the Narrator's Mother in "My Year of Rest and Relaxation."

Related Souls

Ping Xi

INTP

9

8

Literature

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

The Narrator

INTJ

Virgo

2

3

Literature

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Reva

ENFP

2

1

Literature

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Trevor

INFP

Libra

2

3

Literature

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Dr. Tuttle

ISFP

9

1

Literature

My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Narrator's Father

ENTP

8

9

Literature

My Year of Rest and Relaxation