What is the Stonewaller Archetype?

STRENGTHS

• Calm Under Pressure: Maintain composure in high-stress situations, avoiding impulsive reactions.
• Reflective Nature: They take time to reflect, which can lead to thoughtful decision-making once they are ready to engage.
• Protection of Emotional Boundaries: Their tendency to withdraw can protect them from emotional overwhelm, preserving their mental well-being.
• Reduced Escalation: By not engaging in heated exchanges, they can prevent conflicts from escalating further.
• Long-Term Perspective: Their withdrawal often allows them to gain a long-term perspective on issues rather than getting caught up in the moment.

 CHALLENGES

• Perceived Indifference: Their withdrawal can be perceived as indifference or lack of care, damaging relationships.
• Unresolved Issues: Avoiding discussions and issues can lead to unresolved conflicts, creating tension and resentment over time.
• Emotional Disconnection: Their emotional detachment can create a sense of distance, making it difficult for others to connect with them on a deeper level.
• Lack of Communication: Minimal verbal responses and avoidance of issues can hinder effective communication and problem-solving.
• Misunderstandings: Their tendency to avoid confrontation and indirect communication can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Stonewaller Characters

Elsa of Arendelle

Elsa from Disney's "Frozen" franchise is an excellent example of the "Stonewaller" archetype, particularly in her behavior and actions in the first film. Elsa's journey is marked by moments where she withdraws or shuts down communication as a means of coping with her fears and the potential consequences of her powers. Here's a detailed exploration of how Elsa fits the Stonewaller archetype:

• Withdrawing Under Stress: From a young age, Elsa is taught to conceal her ice powers, leading her to stonewall those around her, including her sister Anna. After accidentally hurting Anna, Elsa isolates herself, avoiding interaction to prevent further harm. This isolation shuts down opportunities for open communication about her abilities and fears.
• Avoidance of Expressing Emotions: Elsa adheres to the mantra of "conceal, don't feel," epitomizing the Stonewaller archetype. By suppressing her emotions and avoiding discussions about her inner conflict. Elsa believes she is protecting others, but this actually is preventing her from forming close relationships, especially with her sister Anna.
• Physical and Emotional Withdrawal: After her powers are revealed, Elsa flees Arendelle and creates an ice palace in the mountains, a literal and metaphorical wall between herself and the world. This withdrawal is a response to her overwhelming fear of hurting others and being rejected for her special powers.
• Shutting Down Communication: When Anna finds Elsa in her ice palace and tries to convince her to return to Arendelle, Elsa refuses to engage in meaningful dialogue. Her fear of endangering Anna and Arendelle leads her to stonewall Anna's attempts at reconciliation, insisting that isolation is the best solution. 
• Reluctance to Face Problems: Initially, Elsa is reluctant to confront the problem of the eternal winter she caused, feeling powerless to reverse it. Her stonewalling here is rooted in hopelessness and fear of making things worse.

Elsa's fits the Stonewaller archetype because of her default response to fear, stress, and potential conflict is to withdraw and shut down emotionally. However, her character development, especially as the franchise progresses, illustrates her journey towards overcoming these tendencies. Through her experiences, Elsa learns the value of open communication, emotional expression, and relying on the support of loved ones, ultimately finding a balance between her need for self-protection and her desire for connection (which we all have as human-beings).

Bruce Wayne (Batman)

Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, is an excellent example of the "Stonewaller" archetype. His journey is marked by his tendency to withdraw or shut down communication as a means of coping with his childhood trauma and the demands of his dual identity. Here's how Bruce Wayne fits the Stonewaller archetype:

• Isolation as a Coping Mechanism:  Bruce Wayne isolates himself to protect his Batman identity and cope with his unhealed trauma. His emotional withdrawal is evident in his relationships, where he often keeps people at arm's length to avoid vulnerability.
• Keeping Secrets and Maintaining Distance: Bruce's role as Batman necessitates secrecy, reflecting his stonewalling tendencies. He hesitates to share his innermost thoughts and feelings, even with close allies like Alfred, Lucius Fox, or various love interests. This secrecy affects his personal relationships as Bruce Wayne.
• Suppressed Emotions: Bruce suppresses his emotions, particularly grief and anger over his parents' death, channeling them into his mission as Batman. This suppression is a form of stonewalling, where he refuses to confront his emotions head-on, choosing instead to bury them under his crusade against crime.
• The Batcave and Batman Persona: The Batcave serves as a physical representation of Bruce's stonewalling, a secluded fortress where he retreats from the world. Similarly, the Batman persona acts as an emotional barrier, a mask that separates Bruce Wayne from the vulnerabilities of his true self.
• Challenges in Intimacy: Bruce's stonewalling behavior makes it difficult for him to form and maintain close, intimate relationships. His romantic relationships are often strained by his inability to fully open up about his dual life and the emotional burdens he carries.

His journey reveals moments of growth where he forms genuine connections and confronts his emotional barriers, showcasing both the challenges and transformative potential for those who use stonewalling as a shield against emotional pain and vulnerability.

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