Consider: the original Star Wars trilogy is about integrating the three so-called “ego-syntonic” functions of the psyche…

Star Wars (a.k.a. Episode IV: A New Hope) details the integration of the auxiliary function, symbolised by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ne).

The Empire Strikes Back gives us the positive depiction of the tertiary function and its role as a source of healing and retreat. Hoth, the Bacta tank, Dagobah and Yoda (Si) all symbolise this function’s role. Note that in Star Wars, this function is treated more negatively–it is only by integrating the auxiliary first that you can maturely handle the powers of the tertiary.

Return of the Jedi turns to the inferior function, represented by Leia and Endor (Fe). By learning of the true nature of his relationship to Leia, Luke is able to integrate his inferior function into consciousness.

26 years after first watching Star Wars (and 21 years after seeing the whole trilogy), these films still bowl me over with their insights.

What does Introverted Thinking (Ti) look like as Puer or Puella?

Star Trek seems to really appeal to INFJs (and ISFJs, too) — lots of big Extraverted Feeling (Fe) lessons to instruct and enlighten in order to appeal to their auxiliary Fe. The solutions are diplomatic and big on empathising and directly connecting with the antagonists. Contrast this with the big lesson of Star Wars: opening yourself up to the realm of unknown possibilities (Extraverted iNtuition — Ne). To this INTP, Star Trek often seems obnoxious in its touchy-feely lecturing, whereas Star Wars gives real insight… but that’s just my type talking. If only author David Brin could appreciate that taste does not equal truth!

(Incidentally, Brin’s screeds on Star Wars and George Lucas have that particular “tar baby” Introverted iNtuition (Ni) feel to them that drives me up the wall — he spins every fact to suit his own agenda so that he’s right no matter what. Folks, never argue with an IN_J!)

Anyway, what does Ti look like in I_FJs? I think the answer lies in the character of Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Data is obviously an instance of the Puer archetype: naive, ageless and generally child-like. Data tries to understand human relationships and customs by placing them in theoretical frameworks, reducing communal values to intellectual principles. He’s clearly a caricature of Ti. (It’s no wonder I find that show so condescending!)

The conclusion any armchair psychoanalyst should draw here is that this is in fact how Ti manifests in I_FJs themselves, though they instead choose to project it onto I_TPs. Ti in the I_FJ is clumsy and juvenile, being somewhat disconnected from reality. Again, check out David Brin’s far-out conclusions regarding George Lucas (i.e. that Star Wars is designed to promote anti-democratic elitism to impressionable children) — he’s using Ti theorising as a post-hoc rationalisation for (in this case) his own Ni spin.

I should add here that this is not to say that I_FJs are all intellectually-dishonest nutjobs. We’ve all got our little Puer or Puella inside us; I_FJs just have Ti in this role instead of some other function.

Now that we’ve looked at Sam as the Ne Hero and Tuttle as the Ti Good Parent, it’s time to examine the case of the Puer/Puella (Eternal Child) as Extraverted Feeling (Fe).

The Eternal Child is a Peter Pan-like figure: on the one hand, he or she represents youthful vitality, but on the other hand, this archetype also symbolises an inability to grow or mature as a person.

This figure is incredibly recognisable in Brazil once you get past the role-inversion Terry Gilliam has introduced for comedic effect.

Fe is the function of social roles, expectations, obligations, appearance and standing — the function of diplomacy. I think it’s fair to say that Sam’s mother fits the bill here nicely.

Furthermore, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that this character also plays the role of Eternal Child, despite being Sam’s mother. How fitting, then, that she’s obsessed with plastic surgery, going to ludicrous lengths to appear ever younger.

To be honest, I can’t get over how perfectly we see archetype, function and character aligned in this case — it’s the sort of thing that gives Brazil its timeless, mythic quality. (I should add that it’s also quite fitting that Tuttle, the “Supernatural Aid”, appears and disappears seemingly out of the ether.)

Next: Anima/Animus (Si)