I first read the Dragonlance Chronicles when I was in either eighth or ninth grade (Classic, the Twins Trilogy, & The Soulforge (Raistlin’s past)). I was completely enamored with one character in particular – Raistlin Majere. He was a neutral to dark mage (wizard), depending on the book. He grew up as a child who was often sick and as a result, was illustrated as being very frail, but extremely sharp witted. He had a twin, Caramon Majere who was much his opposite and in many of the books Raistlin seems to outright despise for his ignorance and ineptitude. Even yet, they share a bond (whether they like it or not) that is not so easily broken. Raistlin was never really portrayed as a hero, often being selfish, evil, power-hungry, etc. Back when I was growing up and hitting into my angsty teens I not only identified with him, I swore that there was more to the story than him simply being “a bad guy” though, and for the first time in my life, I realized that good and evil are not nearly so black and white…

For Raistlin’s character in particular, I would say that the MBTI and some of Dr. Morris Massey’s theory are most helpful in describing him. In MBTI, I would definitely tag Raistlin Majere as being an INTJ. He is introverted, draws his power from within, intuitive, ever-thinking, ever-calculating, and extremely judgemental. He tends to be very self-serving but I believe this came about out of necessity after his mother died. He was close to her and Caramon and he had no one after both of his parents died. They were on their own, save for the magic school where Raistlin was eventually enrolled. He sought power initially to take control of his future where he felt helpless before with his mother (a Significant Emotional Event). His body was against him when he was doing his trial to become a mage and was cursed for it ((and other reasons) another Significant Emotional Event). I won’t give away the ending details, but a lot happens that swings him to both sides of the pendulum, showing both the light and dark within his tormented soul. Very fascinating stuff!

Based on my experience, I do feel that males and females have different styles of learning and communicating. The difference I feel is that sometimes men and women change their roles for a multitude of reasons. I’ve known several men who take on female roles of learning and communication and females who take on the male aspects. I do not entirely know why this is but I presume it is because of how they were brought up mixed in with who they modeled themselves after (even though modeling is generally a female way of learning, males can still take on this trait).

I do agree that females have been portrayed differently in video games (and in film and comic books). Most women are (at least classically) hypersexualized. Just take a look at Jessica Rabbit, Taki from Soul Calibur, Mystique from X-Men, etc. Males in turn are usually handsome and extremely muscular as opposed to the majority of real men (or real women from above). Everything in these mediums is very picturesque but I don’t necessarily think that is a bad thing. Being a female who got into video games, comic books, etc. at a very young age – it was this beauty that initially attracted me to them to begin with. Talking with other women who are into the same types of things as me, that is usually what they say got them into it too. I do agree that I initially dislike the extreme hypersexualization, but I do like the idealized beauty in video game/comic book/tv/film women. I know that without having ever taken my Full Sail University Online course in Ethics & Psychology, all of the women I mentioned above I never really cared for as a first impression. I didn’t even notice certain er…traits with Taki from Soul Calibur (my favorite was always Sophitia) but I knew that I didn't like her comparatively, I just could never put my finger on it. Now I have a better understanding of why.