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About the ISFJ type
ISFJ personalities lead with the Introverted Sensing (Si) function. Si influences them to be loyal, concrete, traditional, and to prefer a lifestyle that has a high degree of predictability. ISFJ types, therefore, will move toward the future most confidently with the past as a template. Extraverted Feeling is the auxiliary function for the ISFJ type. Their auxiliary function, Extraverted Feeling (Fe), predisposes the ISFJ types to value social harmony and cooperation, and tend to other people's needs. They are likely to be very sensitive to other people’s needs while somewhat losing track of their own.
Game of Thrones ISFJ types
- Selyse Baratheon
- Hodor
- Doran Martell
- Podrick Payne
- Maester Aemon Targaryen
- Samwell Tarly "If we forget where we've been and what we've done, we're not men anymore, just animals."
- Brienne of Tarth "A complication doesn't release you from your vows"
Selyse Baratheon
"No act done in service of the Lord can ever be called a sin"
Selyse is a picture of loyalty and heartfelt dedication who has been neglected and dehumanized. She is almost pure sadness and has no self-worth. She excuses her husband's cruel behavior as being in service to the Lord of Light. This is ISFJ loyalty gone too far. She has no checks or balances, no possibilities.
Hodor
"Hodor"
Heartfelt devotion and loyalty in one word. Ultimately selfless and dedicated to serve the ones he loves.
Doran Martell
"I am not blind, nor deaf. I know you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberon was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. No man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes."
The above quote shows how Doran uses both his #2 Extraverted Feeling (Fe) to keep up appearances and social harmony while also using his #3 Introverted Thinking (Ti) to plan and strategize.
Unlike hot-blooded Ellaria Sand, Doran is cautious and pensive. He still wants revenge for the death of his Sister and her children. However, he wants to wait for the right moment.
Podrick Payne
"If you wouldn't snap at me I wouldn't learn anything."
Podrick is almost the ultimate kind-hearted loyalist. Tolerant, patient, with no temper whatsoever. He bears all hardships without complaining. As the series continues he transforms from a bumbling squire to a skilled fighter.
Like Samwell Tarly, another ISFJ, he demonstrates a strength for memorization when his recollection of the complex geneology of the great houses helps Brienne realize Sansa is being taken to Lysa Arryn at the Eyrie.
Brienne of Tarth
Integrity scale: High. She is who she is.
"I will shield your back and give my life to yours, if it comes to that. I swear it by the old Gods and new"
"Nothing's more painful than failing to protect the one you love"
Many people see Brienne as an ISTJ. But, there's something about her that says ISFJ even more so. ISFJs are often called protectors. Brienne has the biggest need to protect others of any character in the series. She must protect and serve honorably. She would rather die than not do so. She's a super bad-ass mother. ISFJs are often the more friendly type of protector. Brienne is still a protector, but a less friendly one.
Aemon Targaryen
"Nothing makes the past a sweeter place to visit than the prospect of immanent death"
"Love is the death of duty."
During his long life time, Aemon had his vows tested several times but held true to them. At the same time, he is forgiving of the young recruits when they bend or break the rules. He is kind and his mind is still sharp despite his advanced age. He misses his ability to read more than anything else.
Samwell Tarly
"I read it in a book"
"I followed the instructions"
"That's what death is, isn't it? Forgetting. Being forgotten. If we forget where we've been and what we've done we're not men anymore, just animals."
Samwell becomes one of the more evolved characters as the series moves on. At first he presents as a cowardly man-boy who has been disgraced and disinherited by his father. The first strength he shows is his ability to read volumes and to remember valuable information from his readings. Such a strength is often associated with strong Introverted Sensing (Si). Another Si strength is Sam's ability to notice details in the corpses north of the wall which impresses Jeor Mormont. Another strength that shows up when Gilly comes on to the scene: Sam cannot help but rescue her and tend to her needs (Extraverted Feeling). He is a fantastic nurse and researcher. No wonder he feels compelled to study at the Citadel to become a Maester.
One interesting dynamic in his relationship with Gilly is how Sam likes to smooth things over and promote social harmony (Fe) while Gilly, with her Introverted Feeling (Fi) helps Sam confront the awkward truths. In the end Sam overcomes his need for social harmony to pursue a higher cause:
"Sometimes a man has to make hard choices, choices that might look wrong to others, but you know are right in the long run."
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