Rethinking The Elements of Harmony

[Maplehoof 22]

As I've gone through FiM, I've realized (in what I hope is not a very controversial take) that the mane six, while extremely well written, aren't always the best representations of the "Elements of Harmony."  I've given it some thought, and I think I've discovered better "elements" to each of their personalities, and I want to share them.  I'm curious what people's opinions on this idea are, and what other ways you have interpreted them.  I will note, these aren't intended to exactly be elements of "harmony" still, but rather aspects I feel like can be a good trait for people to understand and learn from.

Pinkie: Laughter

Starting off real basic, Pinkie is pretty one-note, and there isn't much changing for her element.  Her entire spiel is partying, having fun, and that still shines through.  It's important to keep a positive attitude in life, especially in the chaotic world we live in.

Fluttershy: Empathy

Essentially kindness, but with a deeper meaning.  Fluttershy often tries to uncover what it is that is bothering someone, and tries her best to help.  If you can put yourself in someone else's shoes, it does a lot to help understand what they might be going through.  It's also the backbone of compassion.

Rainbow Dash: Confident (But Modest)

Although our favorite spunky flyer starts out headstrong and full of herself, she tempers out over time.  Confidence is important to have, but it's also a tight line to walk.  It's honestly a core part of her character, and it's important to believe in yourself.  Just don't take it too far.

Applejack: Dedication

Honest as she is, Apple is more of a hard worker than anything.  Whether it's pursuing a goal or learning a new skill, dedication is needed to move you forward.  Sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation, but you'll never improve if you become stagnant.

Rarity: Passion

I used to get some mixed responses from friends when I talked about how much I like Rarity.  She can be a bit of a drama queen, but in a way, I find her deeply relatable.  Not outwardly, heavens no.  But if anyone here is an artist, compare the way she acts out loud to your internal thoughts where you're deep in the zone.  It can be chaotic, it can be dramatic, and you sometimes go all over the place trying to make your craft express your vision.  Not only is she a very creative person, she's very passionate about her craft.  Finding what you are passionate about can become the driving force of your life.

Twilight: Studios (With Balance)

Like Rainbow, this might at first sound like the antithesis of her character.  Twilight is always excited to learn, and was a massive bookworm at the start of the show.  Wanting to learn, even if you're not one for the school setting, is important because it keeps you aware of your own limits of knowledge.  Sometimes people think they know more about a topic than they really do, and being open to learning can help avoid that mindset.  The show does illustrate a good point, you need to strike a balance between your social life and personal pursuits. 

 

 

[Ishmael 57]

Such a sincere and thoughtful analysis deserves a commensurate response, so I hope this is one! (Didn't sleep much last night...)

Character drives FiM's writing, and maybe that's a helpful frame to approach the Elements of Harmony. The "Art of Equestria" book includes an interview with Lauren Faust, emphasizing how she developed the characters and relationships. Reading between the lines, she really struggled with how the cutie marks could meaningfully represent each character's personality and drives--what they want and why they want it. (Interestingly to we Rarity fans, Faust seemed to struggle the most with Rarity's character. Hasbro only said they wanted a 'fashion pony,' which wasn't much to go on.) It doesn't seem like the writers had much of a story bible, though Faust did provide a one-page precis of what motivated each of the Mane Six. I'd guess they thought that level of depth sufficed for a show aimed at 8-11 year olds, and why they quickly ran up against limitations. Their well was shallow.

I think your alternative Elements are very good. I'd suggest not so much alternatives as companions to yours.

Pinkie: Solidarity

Pinkie is indeed about laughter (or maybe 'frenetic joy'; as Maud observes, Pinkie is never half-excited), but I would hold she demonstrates tremendous growth over nine seasons. She becomes more sophisticated in solving problems, picking up on others' emotional states (she's not perfect, and tends to revert to old habits, but she always recognizes when she's done either), and taking big risks. The biggest I can think of is her meeting the yaks where they are, and undertaking a perilous, solo, and hilarious journey to Yakyakistan that 'fails', but gives her the empathetic epiphany that saves the day. (Plus, Pony Beatles.)

So, to get all Meisner about it: what does Pinkie want? What is she trying to do, have happen, make change? I'd argue it's solidarity. She wants everyone to 'be happy', but more than that, be all happy together, in a constructive, intentional community powered by empathy. Nobody left out, ignored, overlooked. Everybody seen, as their best self. 

Writing this, I remembered an old twitter thread, remarking on how in the comics Pinkie's a little communist. Everyone should share, be treated equally, give as they can. She blows her top at selfishness. I mean, she's pink. And interesting to think about pinko Pinkie in terms of Big Mac, the one red character I can think of. Big Mac, the tireless worker, source of strength, salt of the earth. He's like if Animal Farm's Boxer wasn't downtrodden. 

(I'm hopeful my Russian history professor would appreciate this analysis.)

Fluttershy: Empathy, for herself

Your quality for Fluttershy is right on, but it's important to note that her axis of growth also points back to herself. Her throughline of becoming more courageous is only possible because she wants to change her passivity. She does this by recognizing her own feelings, accepting they have value, and acting to make the changes that honor her internal motivation. I presume this is why Fluttershy fans were upset with the FiM movie, as she lost this strength and spent her time cowering and whimpering.

Rainbow Dash

No notes here, though I see her confidence bleeding over into arrogance throughout the series. She is often a hothead, acting first and thinking later, or another character does the thinking and spells out for her why her action didn't work. All to say, your point stands. 

Applejack

You've nailed her core personality. She's dedicated to her family (especially her sister), her friends, Ponyville, and all of Equestria. She is morally unwavering. 

Rarity: Passion, from insecurity

You're right. Passion encapsulates Rarity better than generosity, though she is materially and (usually) emotionally generous. But I wonder where her passion comes from? No artist is satisfied with their work, and she's always seeking the approval of her social betters, and crushed when she doesn't get it. She wants to be creative on her own terms, keeping her vision her own, but she struggles with rejection. As we all do, but it hits her harder, because she is literally putting her inner self out there, manifested in something physical made real by her sweat and fervor. Maybe she has big histrionic feelings as a defense. 

Twilight: Wholeness of being

I think you hit what Twilight's about with the balance part of studiousness. The first thing I thought of from your description was syncretism, which is a graduate school word meaning the fusion of different belief systems or schools of thought. (Sorry, I learned the word recently and it pops up now.) Twilight's arc through the show is one of synthesis and fusion--of becoming a fully-realized pony with a coherent, healthy personality. We first meet her as utterly bookish with no social dimension to speak of, thoughtful but awkward, maybe even timid. Over nine seasons, we see her not so much learn friendship, but incorporate the attributes of the other Mane Six. She goes through Erik Erikson's growth stages, becoming a fully-realized person, with a personality all her own. So I'd argue she's bigger than just balancing study and social dimensions. She's a great symbol for the kids watching, synthesizing so many things in their own personal quests to be fully realized people. 

 

Maybe this is a little wooly for a kid's show, but there must be something to why so many adults love it.