An expanded analysis of Big Lebowski

An expanded analysis of The Big Lebowski

 

This movie is great illustration for those studying Myers Briggs. The characters are vivid and very consistent. If anything, the characters in the movie are caricatures of their type because their personalities are exaggerated, making them very easy targets for Myers Briggs analysis.

 

The Dude (ISTP)

The Dude is content with his lackadaisical lifestyle and is interested only in immediate physical gratification, whether it would be smoking, drinking, or bowling. He floats through life aimlessly because neither the future nor the past concern him. His politics have a strong liberal slant not because of his political idealism, but because he wants to be left to his own devices and not be bothered by the outside forces. Nonetheless, he is keen to notice opportunities and takes advantage of them if the effort is worth the reward. He is also a great imitator – he easily adapts speaking patterns of different individuals.

 

Walter Sobchak (ESTJ)

Walter is a rabid conservative with a confrontational demeanor. He views himself as a responsible person who is obligated to take charge of the situation. He is also a pessimist, convinced that the modern world is heading for a moral collapse, and claims that things today, whether it would be young people like Bunny, or even present day wars, cannot compare to the old glory days. When accused by The Dude of living in the past, Walter readily admits it, and in fact views it as a badge of honor. Not only his Myers Briggs type is “The Guardian”, Walter himself, is an actual guardian. He runs a security store, and even though he views his bowling buddy Donny is a bumbling fool, Walter readily puts himself in danger to protect him.

 

Mr. Jeffrey Lebowski (ISTJ)

Mr. Jeffrey Lebowski is an old fashioned man who views having material wealth and a trophy wife as symbols of social standing. To him, form always trumps over function. He has little patience with the young people, especially those that he views as living a parasitic lifestyle. He has similar rabid conservative believes like Walter, but unlike Walter (who is an extravert), Jeffrey Lebowski (who is an introvert) espouses his believes only to the people that have entered his domain.

 

Maude Lebowski (INTJ)

She is an artist that general population would refer to as “bizarre”. However, this does not bother her at the very least because she is convinced in her own logical understanding of the world. Being aware of her own unique demeanor, Maude surrounds herself with people of similar disposition. She views the world as a chessboard and has long term plans that she executes in a methodical manner. She approaches even a simple task in a scheming, underhanded way. She speaks in a very intellectual, if not haughty, manner.

 

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