If you're submitting something for review which is admittedly going to be used at least in part to decide if you are "good enough" to hire, it would be foolish not to expect to have to defend the choices you've made.

Using the author's definition, "being defensive" based on emotional responses is more a character trait than anything else, and a negative one at that.

I would much rather work with a slightly above average or average developer who is thoughtful and rational than a rock star who gets personally offended if you question their use of $DESIGN_PATTERN.