Posted by Dafyd on November 28, 1998 at 19:02:58:
This is a series of bestselling comic fantasy novels written by the English author Terry Pratchett.
It's a take off of fantasy cliches, but also most aspects of modern life. The
Discworld is flat and rests on the back of four elephants who stand on the back of a giant
turtle, Great A'tuin, who swims through space. There is no evidence for Great A'Tuin's
enneagram type.
Some of the characters are very well developed and have obvious enneagram types. You are
however warned that most of them probably wouldn't believe in the enneagram, especially
Granny Weatherwax.
Characters by series:
Death series.
DEATH. A skeleton with a scythe in a black robe. Speaks in capitals. THERE IS NO JUSTICE. THERE
IS ONLY ME. Rides a white horse called Binky.
Although he was a One in the first book (he hated people who missed appointments), he rapidly
became more philosophical, more tolerant of and puzzled by human foibles, and more prepared to
stretch rules. He has a tendency to leave his job unannounced and go off where nobody can find him.
A Five.
Susan. Death's granddaughter (by adoption). Thinks that the world isn't very logical, and
determined to put it right. The set of her jaw suggests that she is a One.
Archchancellor Ridcully of Unseen University. The most important wizard in the world. Originally
appointed because the wizards thought he was a country bumpkin who could be controlled.
He is in fact keen on hunting, shooting, fishing, extremely loud and eager impossible to manipulate.
He is very intelligent but it is very difficult to switch his mind from one train of thought to
another. (If someone gives up it probably wasn't important.)
An Eight.
The Librarian of Unseen University, due to a magical accident is an orang-utan. Quote: 'Ook'
He has resisted being changed back as all he now requires out of life is a supply of bananas and
peanuts. Disapproves of reading books as he believes that the pressure of eyes on the page wears
out the words. Must never be called a 'mo*key' as he will give a practical demonstration of the
difference - mon*eys cannot pick people up by their legs and bang their heads on the floor.
Probably a Five, with Eight tendencies.
Witches series.
Granny Weatherwax. The most important witch on the Disc. (Well, she thinks so even if she won't
admit it.) Designed by nature to be wicked, but her sense of obstinacy and lack of illusions have
made her the sort of witch that does what's Right. (Witches who do Good cause a lot of trouble.
They think they know what's good for other people.) Granny Weatherwax doing what is Right is one
of the most terrifying sights on the Disc.
A One.
Nanny Ogg. Matriarch of a small clan whom she rules with an iron fist. Otherwise, easy-tempered
and congenial. Owner of Greebo, a tomcat who kills and rapes wolves. Nanny thinks he's still a
kitten. Author of 'Ye Joy of Snackes', a book of highly erotic recipes. Gets drunk and sings
songs such as 'The Hedgehog can never be B*****ed at All' loudly.
A Seven with a strong Eight wing, evidenced by her preference for physical forms of enjoyment.
Magrat Garlick. The junior member of the coven, before her marriage. Has a mind so open she'll
believe anything. (Probably the only character who would believe in the enneagram.) Sings folk
songs with her eyes closed as if she means them. Being a member of a coven with Granny and Nanny
has done nothing for her originally low ability to assert herself.
A Nine, or possibly a Six (she can fight like a cornered rat when called upon.)
The Guards series (set in the Disk's largest city, Ankh-Morpork.)
Commander Vimes of the Watch. Although he is married to the richest woman in the city, he is
still on the side of the poor. Was originally defeatist but has become more active since the
arrival of Carrot (see below). One of the few detectives on the Disk; operates on the principle
that first you find out who did it, and then finding the evidence is easy.
A Six.
Sergeant Colon. One of nature's sergeants. Finds the easiest explanation and then bunks off for
a quick drink. He has ensured that no large building has been stolen from Ankh-Morpork in the
last thirty years by sheltering under their eaves in the rain. Does what he's told, except when
ordered to do so in by authoritarian types.
A probable Nine.
Corporal Nobbs. Human, but has to carry a certificate to that effect around with him. Similar to
Colon, but if an angel appeared asking for volunteers for Paradise, would take a smart step backwards.
A Six.
Captain Carrot. Almost too good to be true and very literal minded. Winces when Vimes tells a lie.
He is able to reduce Ankh-Morpork's toughest teenage gangs to boy scouts by force of charisma. When
his girlfriend is kidnapped, reports this to Vimes, which is the right thing to do, Vimes admits, but
somehow disturbing.
Probably a One.
The Patrician, Lord Vetinari. Runs the city by playing every faction off against each other. His most
notable policy is his legitimisation of the Thieves's Guild, in exchange for their role in reducing
unlicensed theft, which they do using clubs with nails in. Reads music because real musicians would spoil
it. Tall, thin and ascetic. Treats politics as an intellectual problem.
A Five.
Rincewind series.
Rincewind claims to be a wizard, despite having no talent in that direction whatever. His philosophy of
life is 'the time to start running is at about the 'e' in 'Hey you.'
A Six.
Dafyd