How AI Can Reflect Your Inner Self
Online quizzes that sort you into fandom categories like Hogwarts houses or Game of Thrones families have always been a source of lighthearted entertainment. However, they often fall short of offering true psychological insight. Recently, a Reddit user took a more introspective approach by asking ChatGPT to analyze their favorite fictional characters and what those preferences might reveal about their personality.
Inspired by this novel idea, I decided to conduct a similar experiment. I selected two of my favorite fictional characters—Crowley from the novel Good Omens and Stephen Toast from the TV show Toast of London—and asked ChatGPT to act as a character psychologist. The prompt I used was designed to encourage thoughtful and kind introspection: “You are a character psychologist. I’m going to tell you about one of my all-time favorite fictional characters. Your job is to analyze what my emotional connection to this character says about me and give me a thoughtful reflection on how this character mirrors parts of my identity. Be introspective, insightful, and kind.”
Analyzing Crowley: The Charming Demon
If you’re unfamiliar with Crowley from Good Omens, he’s a demon who didn’t so much fall from grace as “saunter vaguely downwards.” When I asked ChatGPT to analyze what my admiration for Crowley might say about me, the AI began with a character summary, then delved into personality insights.
The analysis suggested that being drawn to someone like Crowley points to an appreciation for morally complex characters who don’t fit neatly into conventional categories. According to ChatGPT, I might be someone who values autonomy, personal judgment, and has a healthy skepticism of institutions. The AI noted, “You may often find yourself pushing back, gently or sharply, against systems that expect blind obedience. And yet, like Crowley, you may also form unlikely, deeply meaningful bonds with people who ground you.”
This reflection resonated strongly. Crowley’s anti-authoritarian streak and his deeply human moments despite being a demon make him a compelling lens through which to examine one’s values and emotional inclinations.
Stephen Toast: A Study in Absurdity and Self-Image
Next, I presented ChatGPT with Stephen Toast, the melodramatic actor from Toast of London. Known for his booming voice, theatrical expressions, and unshakeable (if misguided) confidence, Toast is a character who meets life’s indignities with theatrical defiance.
ChatGPT interpreted my affinity for Toast as a sign that I might resonate with a fiercely creative identity, even when the world is indifferent—or even hostile—to it. The AI observed, “Toast’s world is absurd and often unfair, but he meets it with theatrical defiance. If you love him, you might be someone who senses those injustices too, but handles them with biting humor, self-aware melodrama, and maybe just a whisper of righteous indignation that others don’t always notice.”
It continued, “If you’re a Toast fan, you almost certainly share his ability to laugh at life’s absurdities, especially your own. That kind of humor requires self-awareness, intelligence, and a bit of existential bravery.”
The insight was both flattering and thought-provoking. I’ve often found myself cracking jokes in inappropriate situations, and this interpretation made me feel surprisingly seen. In Toast’s exaggerated responses to life’s setbacks, I recognized a familiar coping mechanism—humor as a shield and a mirror.
What AI Personality Analysis Can Teach Us
While none of the responses were earth-shattering revelations, they were more nuanced than expected. Unlike the shallow flattery of many online quizzes, ChatGPT’s reflections felt like a gentle nudge toward self-awareness. They didn’t judge or ridicule my taste; instead, they offered a mirror—albeit one with a poetic filter.
Much like traditional personality tests, the real value lies not in the AI’s words themselves but in how you interpret them. It’s less about objective truth and more about what resonates with you. The exercise offered a unique way to reflect on my identity through the lens of fiction and felt more substantive than expected.
As a fun party trick or a tool for self-exploration, using ChatGPT to analyze favorite fictional characters might actually be more insightful than the fortune-telling games we played as kids. And after this little adventure, I think it’s time I rewatch Toast of London with fresh eyes and a renewed appreciation.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.