personality profile of The Snow Queen, from the song "Snow Queen"

 The Snow Queen, from the song, "Snow Queen", written by Carol King and Gerry Goffin, and sung by The City, which has these lyrics:

 

[Verse 1]
High on a snow-covered mountain
From her throne she looks down at the clowns
Who think youth can be found in a fountain
High on the wings of her rhythms
She will smile at the guys who come on with their eyes
But she'll never dance with them

[Chorus]
And in smoke-filled rooms of electric sound
A legend is built around
The Snow Queen

[Verse 2]
You may believe you're a winner
But with her you will soon bite the dust
And discover you're just a beginner
You may not think you're a loser
But in mid-air you'll be hung while you trip on your tongue
And it'll only amuse her

[Chorus]
In the morning air you are frozen there
Caught in the icy stare of
The Snow Queen

[Bridge]
No, my friend, she doesn't want what you're selling
Oh, my friend, there must be a place you can hide

[Chorus]
And into the night you'll fade, knowing you lost the game
And just how she got the name of
The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen from Carol King's song presents a personality that can be analyzed through the lens of the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) scales. Based on the song's lyrics, we can gather information about her traits, characteristics, and projected demeanor. Here's the breakdown:


Traits and Characteristics of the Snow Queen

From the lyrics, the Snow Queen can be described as follows:

  1. Personality and Behavior:

    • Aloof, emotionally distant, and detached from others ("High on a snow-covered mountain, from her throne she looks down").
    • Cold and unyielding, symbolizing an icy exterior ("Caught in the icy stare of the Snow Queen").
    • Enjoys power and control over others, especially by keeping people at a distance and maintaining the upper hand ("She will smile at the guys who come on with their eyes, but she'll never dance with them").
    • Amused by others' failures and struggles, particularly when they attempt to win her over ("You may believe you're a winner, but with her, you will soon bite the dust").
    • Mysterious and untouchable, almost mythic in her reputation ("A legend is built around the Snow Queen").
  2. Emotional State:

    • Likely emotionally guarded and unwilling to connect on a deeper level.
    • Possibly experiences inner loneliness or isolation due to her detachment, though this is not directly stated in the song.
  3. How Others Perceive Her:

    • Intimidating and unapproachable.
    • Someone who uses her charisma and mystique to command respect but alienates people.
    • An object of fascination and frustration ("In smoke-filled rooms of electric sound, a legend is built").
  4. Flaws or Vices:

    • Manipulative tendencies and a sense of superiority.
    • Lack of empathy or interest in others' feelings.
    • Enjoys watching others fail or struggle, which hints at sadistic traits.

MMPI Scales Analysis

Based on the Snow Queen's personality traits as inferred from the song, here is how she might score on the MMPI scales:

Scales She Would Score High On:

  1. Scale 4 (Psychopathic Deviate):

    • The Snow Queen exhibits a lack of concern for social norms or emotional connections. She is detached from traditional human interactions and enjoys maintaining power and control over others.
  2. Scale 5 (Masculinity-Femininity):

    • She defies traditional gender roles, presenting a dominant, assertive, and self-sufficient personality. Her conduct rejects stereotypical feminine vulnerability or warmth.
  3. Scale 6 (Paranoia):

    • Her aloofness and detachment suggest a distrust of others, possibly stemming from a belief that others are unworthy of her attention or may try to manipulate her.
  4. Scale 9 (Hypomania):

    • Her enigmatic and mysterious air could indicate heightened energy and a sense of grandiosity. The Snow Queen projects confidence and thrives on the attention her legend generates.

Scales She Would Score Low On:

  1. Scale 2 (Depression):

    • She does not appear to exhibit sadness, hopelessness, or low self-worth. If anything, she seems to have a high opinion of herself.
  2. Scale 7 (Psychasthenia):

    • She does not show signs of anxiety, worry, or self-doubt. Her personality is confident and unwavering in its icy demeanor.
  3. Scale 0 (Social Introversion):

    • Although she is detached and unapproachable, the Snow Queen is not necessarily socially introverted. She thrives on maintaining a legendary status, which implies a need for recognition, even if it is from a distance.

Summary of the Snow Queen's MMPI Profile

The Snow Queen would likely score high on scales related to dominance, detachment, and a lack of emotional connection (Scale 4, Scale 6). Her low scores on emotional distress scales (Scale 2, Scale 7) reflect her confidence and cold demeanor. This personality profile aligns with her depiction as a powerful, enigmatic figure who remains distant and untouchable.

In addition:

Let me analyze the Snow Queen character from Carol King's song:

Jungian Archetypes: Ice Queen/Femme Fatale archetype 

Myers-Briggs 4 letter type: INTJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) 

Myers-Briggs 2 letter type: NT (Rational) 

Enneagram: Type 3w4 - The Achiever with Four wing (image-conscious, aloof) 

New Personality Self-Portrait Styles:

  • Primary: Solitary, Self-confident
  • Secondary: Dramatic, Vigilant

Four Temperaments: Melancholic-Phlegmatic blend 

Possible Personality Disorder traits:

  • Narcissistic features
  • Schizoid features 

Basic Desires Hierarchy:

  1. Power/Control
  2. Independence
  3. Admiration
  4. Excellence 

Basic Values Hierarchy:

  1. Self-sufficiency
  2. Dignity
  3. Emotional distance
  4. Perfection 

Basic Ideals:

  1. Sovereignty
  2. Mastery
  3. Untouchability 

Character Flaws:

  • Emotional coldness
  • Pride
  • Inability to form close relationships 

Neurotic Defense Mechanisms:

  • Isolation of affect
  • Intellectualization
  • Emotional freezing 

Big Five Dimensions:

  • High: Introversion, Conscientiousness
  • Low: Agreeableness, Neuroticism
  • Moderate: Openness 

NLP Meta-Programs:

  • Away-From motivation
  • Internal reference
  • Independent
  • Global pattern recognition

Famous Women with Snow Queen-Like Traits:

Real-Life Figures:

Greta Garbo (1905–1990)

Known for her reclusive nature and the nickname "The Divine Garbo," Greta Garbo cultivated an air of mystery, rarely granting interviews and maintaining strict privacy. Her aloof and detached persona made her an iconic figure of unattainable beauty and intrigue, much like the Snow Queen.

Grace Kelly - Known for her cool, elegant demeanor and emotional restraint. She embodied the "ice princess" archetype, with similar INTJ traits and solitary tendencies 

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997)

While Diana was admired for her compassion and relatability, there was also an "ice queen" narrative surrounding her after her divorce from Prince Charles. Her regal demeanor, emotional restraint in public, and ability to captivate the world's attention without revealing too much aligns with certain Snow Queen traits.

Anna Wintour (b. 1949)

The longtime editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour is famously referred to as "Nuclear Wintour" for her icy and aloof demeanor. She is a symbol of power and control in the fashion world, often intimidating those around her while maintaining an aura of enigmatic authority.

Coco Chanel - Exhibited similar traits of independence, perfectionism, and emotional detachment. She shared the Snow Queen's NT (Rational) personality type and focus on excellence 

Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992)

Known for her androgynous style and cool, detached persona, Marlene Dietrich exuded an air of mystery and sophistication. Her demeanor was often described as "icy," and she was seen as a woman ahead of her time, defying societal norms and expectations in a way that mirrors the Snow Queen's independence.

Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603)

The "Virgin Queen" ruled with a powerful and commanding presence, often keeping her emotions hidden and maintaining strict control over her personal life. Her refusal to marry and her deliberate cultivation of an image of divine and untouchable authority parallel the Snow Queen's detachment and mystique.

Fictional Women:

Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Cersei is a cold, calculating, and manipulative character who uses her power and beauty to control others. She is emotionally guarded, driven by pride, and rarely allows others to see her vulnerabilities, much like the Snow Queen.

Blanche DuBois (A Streetcar Named Desire)

While Blanche is more emotionally fragile than the Snow Queen, her self-perception as superior and her manipulation of others through her charm and beauty echo aspects of the Snow Queen’s personality.

Lady Macbeth (Macbeth)

Lady Macbeth’s ambition, detachment, and ability to manipulate those around her align with the Snow Queen’s traits. Her cold and calculating demeanor, especially early in the play, makes her an archetype of icy power.

Elsa (Frozen)

Elsa of Frozen is an obvious parallel to the Snow Queen, as her character is partly inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. Elsa’s fear of emotional vulnerability and her tendency to isolate herself resonate strongly with the Snow Queen’s personality.

Mythological Women:

Circe (Greek Mythology)

The sorceress Circe is known for her ability to enchant and control those who come into her domain. Like the Snow Queen, she is powerful, independent, and emotionally detached, preferring solitude and self-reliance over connection with others.

Morgana Le Fay (Arthurian Legend)

A powerful enchantress and sometimes antagonist in Arthurian legends, Morgana is often depicted as manipulative, enigmatic, and emotionally cold. Her mystique and detachment make her a fitting parallel to the Snow Queen.

Pop Culture Icons:

Madonna (b. 1958)

In her prime, Madonna cultivated an untouchable, commanding presence that many found intimidating. While she exhibited warmth at times, her reinvention of herself often involved an icy, enigmatic persona that mirrored the Snow Queen's sense of control and detachment.

Beyoncé (b. 1981)

Beyoncé’s public persona, particularly during her "Sasha Fierce" era, reflects traits of the Snow Queen. She is often portrayed as powerful, commanding, and untouchable, maintaining a level of mystique that keeps fans and critics at a distance.

Psychological and Cultural Context

The "Snow Queen" archetype, whether in real life or fiction, often embodies traits associated with dominance, mystery, and emotional detachment. These women are often admired and feared for their ability to captivate without becoming fully accessible. This archetype can stem from a combination of personal temperament, deliberate image cultivation, or societal expectations of power and control in women.

In addition:

These women all share key elements with the Snow Queen archetype:

Emotional restraint

Focus on excellence and perfection

Need for independence and control

Tendency toward emotional distance

Strong self-sufficiency drive 


Now some follow-up questions:

  1. Good relationship match for the Snow Queen: ENFP male (warm, enthusiastic)
    Bad match: ISTJ male (too similar in coldness)

  2. Good celebrity match for the Snow Queen: Robin Williams type (warm, creative)
    Bad match: Christian Bale type (too intense, similar coldness)

  3. Story ideas for Leslie, with a personality/temperament similar to the Snow Queen:

  • Leslie, as a brilliant but isolated CEO who must learn to trust
  • Leslie, as a gifted artist whose emotional walls begin to crack when mentoring a child
  • Leslie, leading a team through crisis while struggling with human connection

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