Starlight Glimmer: The Selfish Protagonist

[KH7672 1,604]

In my continued efforts to understand the issues of Starlight, I've come across this almost oxymoronic phrase that describes her characterization throughout Season 6 but less in Season 7; she was a selfish protagonist. A protagonist who would put her/his own comfort and happiness above that of others, ultimately learning to overcome part of that mindset or breaking out of it by seeing it's effect on others. It is characterization that's carried over from her time as an antagonist. However was it a mistake to focus on that or could this characterization have worked? Maybe it already did for you.

[DonMaguz 1,023]

I think that characterization is absolutely intended and it shows how she had chosen a new path from Twilight's offer at The Cutie Re-Mark, but her personality was still self centered and it makes sense, after all she had no real friends since Sunburt's departure and she grew up doing everything caring only for herself. 

Edited October 7, 2017 by DonMaguz

[ShootingStar159 2,157]

1 hour ago, KH7672 said:

In my continued efforts to understand the issues of Starlight, I've come across this almost oxymoronic phrase that describes her characterization throughout Season 6 but less in Season 7; she was a selfish protagonist. A protagonist who would put her/his own comfort and happiness above that of others, ultimately learning to overcome part of that mindset or breaking out of it by seeing it's effect on others. It is characterization that's carried over from her time as an antagonist. However was it a mistake to focus on that or could this characterization have worked? Maybe it already did for you.

I don't know that I'd call it selfish as much as self-centered. She very clearly thought she was making things better for everypony with her, um, antics, not just better for herself. Thing is, after so much time spent isolated from others, I think it's hard for her to realize that just because she wants something doesn't mean that everyone should want it.

As for it being a mistake, I don't think so at all. It's given her more character and room for growth than any other character in the show. I think just how much she's grown on people over the past two seasons is proof of that. Giving characters room for growth is important for the longevity of a show.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

I think @ShootingStar159's pretty much spot on.

I mostly saw Starlight's arc as one of redemption*, and I still do, but I hadn't really picked up on

11 minutes ago, ShootingStar159 said:

I think it's hard for her to realize that just because she wants something doesn't mean that everyone should want it.

which fits in well with the redemption aspect, and when seen in that light Every Little Thing She Does gets a lot better and makes more sense.

 

 

*I've only seen up to the end of S6 mind, so I don't know if they expand on that or go elsewhere in S7.

[SugarCoatxMarblePie 701]

If you cant take care of yourself how can you take care of others.

[Thrond 3,263]

Mostly I agree with @ShootingStar159, and personally I think that - alongside her underdeveloped morality and her self-doubt - are the most interesting things about her, so I don't think they were a mistake at all.