Why is Fluttershy the Element of Kindness?

[Mywas 687]

She seems more like the Element of Shyness.

Seriously, she almost never shows her Element.

[Anilewe 2,178]

Actually... I have to agree, even if it hurts me. She's usually so shy, that she doesn't have a courage to be kind to ponies she doesn't know. It's my big complaint, to be honest. I like Fluttershy, but she's my least favorite, because of how unfair the writers treat her. All episodes about her tend to be about shyness. I know that she always will be shy, it's in her nature (and even in her name), but it became so annoying. I'm sure that there's so much more to do with her as a character and I don't understand why writers seem to ignore it. In a lot of episodes I rarely can pay attention to her, because of how shy she is. She barely says something and usually just stays hidden behind her friends. It makes her uninteresting and I often got an impression, that she's not even there. 

Edited February 13, 2014 by Anilewe

[Scootalove 10,689]

To me, she has shown her element of kindness at times but the main thing that the writers show us the most is her timid, shy nature when it comes to dealing with a conflict that she has to overcome. It's to the point where we don't notice or acknowledge her presence, unless she is involved in an episode.

[Page.Turner 940]

I've never viewed her as being anything but kind? Except for the episode where she took that "self confidence" seminar thing

 

But yeah... I don't get what you're saying.

 

Her kindness isn't just reflected in how much she helps ponies and animals in need. It's shown in her selflessness, her ability to see good in everyone, how she gives the benefit of the doubt and doesn't jump to conclusions. She is polite and gentle, even to ponies who seem to take advantage of her. I could go on forever

 

Sure, in some episodes we see her being not so kind... like the Nightmare Night episode where she's still stupidly afraid of Luna. But to be fair? We've seen every other pony go against their element at least once and Fluttershy is no exception.

 

Everything about her exudes kindness. I don't think you're looking hard enough X3

[RAGESTAR 479]

IMO Fluttershy is the element of overratedness. Seriously, everyone loves her with an obsessed passion and if anyone questions her cuteness, they get flamed. But on topic, I can't believe I'm saying this, seeing as I really don't like Fluttershy, but I think she sticks to her element the most out of the mane 6. I mean, sure she's shy, but aside from return of harmony and that episode with Iron-Will, she's never not been kind. The reason you don't think she's showing it, is because she's not even trying! If anything, she's too kind! Remember, that's what the episode with Iron-Will was all about! Anyway, this is just my opinion, so what do I know?

[Anilewe 2,178]

  On 2014-02-13 at 11:01 PM, ragestar said:

IMO Fluttershy is the element of overratedness. Seriously, everyone loves her with an obsessed passion and if anyone questions her cuteness, they get flamed. But on topic, I can't believe I'm saying this, seeing as I really don't like Fluttershy, but I think she sticks to her element the most out of the mane 6. I mean, sure she's shy, but aside from return of harmony and that episode with Iron-Will, she's never not been kind. The reason you don't think she's showing it, is because she's not even trying! If anything, she's too kind! Remember, that's what the episode with Iron-Will was all about! Anyway, this is just my opinion, so what do I know?

 

Actually, she wasn't really kind to Twilight, when they met for the first time. She was so shy, that she was unable to greet her properly and was rather impolite, considering that she started to speak only when she noticed Spike and completely ignored Twilight. And I say it as a person, who was shy for the most part of her life. I know how hard it is to start to speak and how insecure I felt in presence of other people. 

Edited February 13, 2014 by Anilewe

[RAGESTAR 479]

  On 2014-02-13 at 11:07 PM, Anilewe said:

Actually, she wasn't really kind to Twilight, when they met for the first time. She was so shy, that she was unable to greet her properly and was rather impolite, considering that she started to speak only when she noticed Spike and completely ignored Twilight. And I say it as a person, who was shy for the most part of her life. I know how hard it is to start to speak and how insecure I felt in presence of other people. 

 

True, it was rude...but hey? Getting excited over animals is Fluttershy's shtick. Now that I think about it...when I remember Fluttershy's excited and happy reaction at seeing him, wouldn't it have made more sense for Spike to have a crush on Fluttershy?

[Princess Lona 382]

Fluttershy is shy around ponies because they are her equals and they intimidate her, but she is kind to almost every other creature. Kindness is the ability to be sensitive enough to understand the needs of others without much communication, and to show compassion and care for those who really need it. All the wild animals in Equestria -even the larger ones- need lots of help and care, that's why Fluttershy focuses on them more than on the other ponies.

[Tigerpop198 696]

I guess it is because her personality is the kind that would represent kindness.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

@
I don't think her overrated-ness is as bad as it used to be.

 

Seriously, I can name 3 Fluttershy fans off of the top of my head: Sir. Flutterhooves, Wingnut, and Flutterdash.

 

Out of everyone I've ever come into contact with on the forums, too (that is a lot of people, btw )

 

Her fans and Pinkie fans seem to be like the way AJ and Rarity fans used to be. I see less and less Pinkie and Fluttershy fans everyday. I can't call them overrated at all, in this day and age.

 

Oh, sorry, got off-topic and forgot to quote

 

She's shy as hell, but she's also pretty kind in her own right; she's shy, but she isn't mean; she's done plenty of friendly things for other ponies, such as take care of the CMCs when Rarity was unable to, or cheer on RD in that crapfest Sonic Rainboom...

 

She IS kind, dammit She's not too bad, not too bad at all.

 

I'll just be in my corner, clinging on to my unrealistic hope that one day, people will see that all of the mane 6 are badasses in their own right

Edited February 14, 2014 by ghostfacekiller39

[Forlong 1,726]

kind

adjective

Having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others.

Wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others.

 

• Letting countless animals share her home and treating their injuries.
• Being understanding of her friend's criticisms of her.
• Putting up with Discord's nonsense.

[Shanks 10,816]

Fluttershy may be written in a rather inconsistent manner with her learning a lesson and then forgetting it a few episode later only for it to come back again when convenient (I don't hate her or anything but still)  but one thing that has been consistent for the most part is that kindness is an accurate element for her. She has been shown on many occasions to go out of her way to take of sick and injured animals, she is not even technically a veterinarian but she does it anyway. Was the only pony to really give Discord another chance although I didn't really blame the other for not trusting him as I wouuldn't have either. And she is nearly always polite and courteous, Putting Your Hoof Down is one of the few times this isn't the case.

[ShadOBabe 19,013]

She shows it all the time.

But see, she shows it to animals. She's terrified of other ponies because of her compounded shyness and the teasing she got as a kid. She automatically associates ponies she doesn't know as a potential threat, that could start mocking her at any time. But she doesn't have that kind of fear with animals. She trusts them far more, and goes out of her way to be kind to them.

[FlutterShiny 19]

Since Fluttershy was the pony that first drew me into the fandom, I'll add my thoughts. 

 

She is actually kind to a fault and this can sometimes lead to her being a bit of a doormat or punching bag. I have a friend who is a LOT like this, and sometimes her kindness and generosity get taken advantage of because she just doesn't know when to say no or put her foot down. I mean seriously, sometimes I would drive her from work at the end of the day to her husband's place of work, all of one mile away, and the whole time we're walking to my truck she's going "You don't mind? You're sure? Really sure? It's okay if you do, I can find someone else to take me. Sure? Here, I'll buy you soda. And a candy bar. And give you five dollars for gas."

 

Up until recent years*, I WAS Fluttershy. Scared of everyone, scared to talk, scared of my job, scared to tell my order to the person behind the counter at McDonald's. It was actually fairly crippling in my teen years, and I didn't have many friends. I too am a lover of animals, and I think it's easier to be kind to them because for one, they don't talk back, but they also don't judge you, and they're so much more appreciative of what you do for them than most people ever will be. (or in Fluttershy's case, other ponies) That being said, the few people in my life that I did have, I would do anything for.

 

*Coming back to 'until now' is where we see that the writing for her character has suffered. Four years ago, after a year at college did absolutely nothing for advancing my career or getting me secure employment, I serioused the buck up, as they say, and went back to retail. The crew I was initially part of was temporary, but they were a great, boisterous and snarky group who thought it was more fun to include me in their in-jokes and ribbing than to let me hide in a corner by myself. In turn, I was brought out of my shell and quickly became more comfortable speaking up and even standing up for myself when called for. One of them remains a close friend to this day. That is where Flutters' big flaw comes in, she has a GREAT group of friends, none of whom are shy but ALL of whom are incredibly supportive, so she shouldn't still be completely terrified of daily mundane interactions or even meeting new ponies. I was disappointed when she was asked "Was it really THAT bad?" in the latest episode and answered yes, because in my experience, it's almost never as bad as I dreaded it would be. I still really do love her because I can absolutely relate to the feeling of wanting to burst into tears and run away from a bad situation, but some character development in that area would be great. 

[Lady Leopardess 393]

I would say between her and pinkie they symbolize their elements the most. Fluttershy is almost always kind, just because she's shy too doesn't make her not kind. As someone else mentioned this is quite clear with her taking care of animals. She doesn't like confilict because she doesn't like to hurt anypony's feelings.

 

Rainbow dash represents her element the least

[Karba 63]

I guess she has that element because of the way she treats  her friends and cares about her animals. 

Edited February 18, 2014 by Karba