Ideal elements for the ponies?

[Loona 287]

I always pictured that the Elements make up a true friendship. For example, true friendship means honesty, laughter, loyalty, kindness, generosity, and, well, magic?  Magic = Friendship, so, I guess.

Inspiration just seems too off.

[FruitRiver 355]

Twilight- Leadership

Rarity- Creativity or inspiration

Fluttershy- Kindness

Rainbowdash-Courage

Applejack- Honesty or endurance

Pinkiepie- Laughter

[Wingnut 6,994]

Rarity's element was originally going to be inspiration? I didn't know that, but it makes perfect sense. Except for Twilight Sparkle because the meaning of magic in this context is too abstract, all ponies have moments when they seemingly fail to live up to their Element. That doesn't make them failures, it just makes them human. I explained this at length in my review on Rarity. What I said about her is true of everypony when they fall short of their element based expectations.

 

http://mlpforums.com/topic/4729-rarity-fan-club/page-12#entry1292103

 

I'm surprised Fluttershy doesn't catch more flack for the times she's unkind. The Best Night Ever and Putting Your Hoof Down immediately come to mind. Her threat to Twilight in Magic Duel was mentioned as well. And stomping Dash in the gut after she had already broken free of her grip in Dragon Quest was uncalled for. What Fluttershy does get criticized for is when she seems to go back to being a timid doormat in the next episode. Uh, no. People who say she's simply retconning to the way she was before are missing the point. Fluttershy feels horrible remorse whenever she loses her temper and lashes out like that. This is laid out perfectly in Putting Your Hoof down. Thus Fluttershy wants to make amends anytime she hurts others. Unfortunately, being an overly polite pony who lets others take advantage of her is the only way she knows how to do penance and therefore the vicious cycle continues.

 

I don't think this was mentioned yet, but this was how their Elements and traits were reassigned in Magical Mystery Cure. 

 

Applejack - Generosity.  This actually suits AJ very well.  She shows more overt generosity than Rarity!

 

Fluttershy - Laughter.  Sorry, Flutters, comedy isn't your forte!  Yet, she does and says so many funny things in the cartoon that laughter isn't a bad fit when you stop to think about it. 

 

Pinkie Pie - Honesty.  This seems fitting somehow.  She's may joke and kid people, but she's not a liar.  Neither is any Mane 6 pony, really. 

 

Rainbow Dash - Kindness.  This looks unfitting at first.  But it's true when you probe deeper.  All M6 ponies have a kind heart, but only RD feels the need to hide it because she fears kindness makes her look weak.  This is a nice irony by Mr. Larson. 

 

Rarity - Loyalty.  This is another well chosen irony.  On the surface, Rarity seems very selfish and greedy.  But whenever she is forced to choose between her sister or her friends or herself, she ultimately puts them ahead of herself.  Sisterhooves Social and Sweet and Elite both bear this out. 

 

This has turned out to be a very thought provoking topic.  I also liked Scootaloo's proposed reassignment of Elements.  They almost fit the ponies better than their actual designations.  Thanks for Firebolt for starting it. 

Edited March 24, 2013 by Wingnut

[Sunset Spark 60]

I always pictured that the Elements make up a true friendship. For example, true friendship means honesty, laughter, loyalty, kindness, generosity, and, well, magic?  Magic = Friendship, so, I guess.

Inspiration just seems too off.

Perhaps by the most optimistic definitions.

Friendship doesn't always constitute outward kindness, honesty, generosity, loyalty or laughter.

 

Picture it this way.

I have a friend who I care for.

I show this person no kindness for what he is, simply because I do not like him very much.

I am not honest to him, for I do not trust him myself.

I am not loyal to him as a friend, I would rat on him if it suited me.

I do not talk to him very much, even if I see him all the time. We do not laugh together anymore. Haven't laughed with him for almost 10 years now.

I am not generous with him. We are very close, but exchanges between us have usually required something in return.

 

Yet, I do care for him, even if we would never show it.

Of all else, friendship, is magic. It truly is in my eyes.

That friendship can exist in so many ways is already magical beyond my beliefs.