Why was Big Mac 'stupidfied' following his first normal speaking part?

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

Well I'm gonna go ahead and call out the OP's very premise. Why the hell would anyone think that a person's lack of speech makes him or her any less intelligent? Big MacIntosh doesn't have a mental disorder and he's certainly very mentally capable. It's just not as directly shown but he runs the entire Sweet Apple Acres w/ or in Applejack's absence, has been shown to be able to fix things, and manages money competently.

 

There could be a variety of reasons why Big Mac only spoke to Applejack w/ a complete sentence. The obvious is that he may well be shy and is only comfortable conversing around family. Alternatively he can speak in full sentences but only does so when he feels very strongly about something. In the first case, he was quite concerned about Applejack's health and well being. When he scolded the Cutie Mark Crusaders, he was profoundly angered at their shallowness and reckless harmful behavior. Alternatively Big Mac may just be laconic, aka not very talkative. He may only feel the need to talk when necessary which was proven to be true in both examples.

 

If anything, my parents taught me that often times those that talk more may not have much good to say and often make themselves appear more foolish to others. This is opposed to someone who holds their tongue and only talks once thoroughly thinking through what they want to say. 

 

Either way Big Mac is not dumb and the show does not certainly try to convey that message. They probably do try to make him sound more like a southerner, but that's just a part of his character and in no true way tells us that he's dumb.

Well, I kinda wish I had chosen a different word for the title. I didn't mean he became stupid, or that by not talking a lot that makes him stupid. I meant more that they simplified him. He is certainly competent, and you raise a good point. It was just something that bugged me.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Never2muchpinkie

[SkyStorm 334]

I guess it does seem like he is a bit shallow at some points, but remember, this is a little girls show intentionally and the show consists of mainly female characters, so they didn't put much depth into Big Macs character.