Was Big Mac being selfish in Brotherhooves Social?

[ggg-2 3,553]

Yes, Big Mac did what he did to win Apple Bloom a blue ribbon, but he also did it so she would see him as a hero again. So, was he being selfish?

[BrawnyCharger 513]

I wouldn't say he was being selfish. Ever since AJ became the Element of Honesty, she's been hogging all the glory of the Apple Family. Applebloom was kind of giving WAY too much attention to Applejack. Big Macintosh has been practically in the shadows of his two sisters ever since the series began. 

 

Even though his methods were rather questionable, I sympathize with Big Mac and am glad he finally earned the admiration and respect of his youngest sibling. 

 

I strongly hope that in the future we see more episodes of Big Mac earning a big hero moment.

[Brainstorm 4,111]

Big Mac wasn't selfish, he just got carried away. Also, he was helping Applebloom.

 

Everything turned out okay.

[Zachary 5,521]

Nope, He was not being selfish.

[Miss 6,230]

Well there is this whole idea that there is no such thing as a selfless good deed. So in that sense yes he was being selfish.

But at the same time I would say he was going to great lengths to be there for his sister so in that sense he wasn't being selfish.

 

He did let the competition get the better of him because he really wanted to impress AppleBloom but it was for a good reason or at least not a bad one.

[cmarston1 5,959]

He really wanted to help out Apple Bloom with the competition sense Applejack was busy, which was good.

But he did get carried away and things spiraled out of control, which was bad.

Then again he did called out for his behavior.

[KrazyDashie 1,847]

i dont see it as selfish. he did fill in for applejack when she was gone, to be fair though... AJ has been taking all the glory (like brawny said)

 

he did go a little too far, but it was with good intention

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

To a degree yes one could argue... but is it really "selfish" to want to be loved and get attention from your family? Lots of kids experience this feeling to a degree when a new baby comes into the house, and that feeling of being left out or ignored sets in, and it can often lead to forms of jealousy and envy.

 

In Macs case he said it himself, all he is, is a pony on the farm doing chores... while Applejack is off becoming someone important in a lot of ponies eyes. One could probably argue he does more work on the farm simply because she is off saving Equestria so much... but that does not change the fact he feels left out and unimportant. The Mane 6 are IMPORTANT... but so are a lot of others even if they are not recognized by the show and some of the viewers... many of them have important jobs and do a lot of work to make life easier for everyone in Ponyville, including the mane 6 themselves. I can imagine it is very difficult at times to be day in and day out working your butt off, and yet have to sit and listen to someone close to you talk about how great someone else is constantly... and virtually ignore you completely.

 

So no, I really don't see it as being selfish at all. I see it as just wanting to be seen and acknowledged by the ponies you care about equally.

[sweetolebob18 728]

I'm the oldest of 5 siblings.  Big Mac's actions are absolutely typical family interactions. It's unusual for the oldest to act this way -it's more a middle child thing to do. But, AJ is a rodeo champion & the Element of Honesty + pretty much running the farm.  So, he was probably just feeling neglected.

 

Just because guys don't usually talk about their feelings doesn't mean they don't have any.

[ManaMinori 4,145]

I wouldn't say he was being selfish. Ever since AJ became the Element of Honesty, she's been hogging all the glory of the Apple Family. Applebloom was kind of giving WAY too much attention to Applejack. Big Macintosh has been practically in the shadows of his two sisters ever since the series began. 

 

Even though his methods were rather questionable, I sympathize with Big Mac and am glad he finally earned the admiration and respect of his youngest sibling. 

 

I strongly hope that in the future we see more episodes of Big Mac earning a big hero moment.

I agree. wanting someone to appreciate your contributions and just being there is hardly selfish. especially when Apple Bloom has been giving all the attention to Equestria's hero, AppleJack. Can't blame poor Big Mac for wanting his lil' sis to notice and admire him.