Sweet & Elite, common misunderstandings

[Whatevs 377]

I watched Digibrony's analysis of the episode and, I hate to say it, but he was dead wrong.

He put the cart before the horse in almost every situation.

 

So I'm going to do my best to dispel what he said and hopefully dispel what some commonly believe is the case with this episode.

Best way I can see to do this is through a summary. Enjoy. I'm going to write a blog on this episode that deals more with the subtleties of the episode, but this is a separate thing.

 

 

Rarity arrives in Canterlot. Elites see her fashion and like it enough to ask her about it. Hick pony unintentionally ruins this by revealing she is from Ponyville. The Elites turn their noses up at her purely for this reason. This hurts her.
The implication of this scene is that the Elites have disdain for Ponyville simply for being Ponyville.
Rarity then decides to go all out on Twi's dress, which she had decided to make before the previous scene, to prove to herself she does have what it takes for Canterlot.
She runs into FP who learns she is staying at the palace and invites her along.
While at his event she guesses correctly that the winner will be some Wonderbolt. She credits Dash with this (proof she is not actively distancing herself) but when the Elites inquire as to the identity of Dash, Rarity feels the pressure and lies. The framing of the scene suggests the risk of judgement from the Elites, prompting the lie.

FP then says Rarity is his favorite party guest. After socializing with the Elites more, Rarity gets more invitations from them after 'being a delight' in their own words. Rarity initially declines because she has a dress to finish, but they guilt her into going. This is important because it basically is a microcosm of Rarity's motivation, she does not want to disappoint anyone.

Then the song, which chronicles her rise in the Canterlot social hierarchy. Taken at face value (and with no reason not to), it's because of her own merits as a guest and tastemaker. The latter shown by the Elites copying her opinions at every turn.

The song ends with her looking guilty for not spending more time on twi's dress. The next scene is her packing to leave as soon as possible when she gets a new invitation. For some reason, not going to this party will result in her being rejected by the Elites (her dream being their acceptance).
She feels guilty for this but also lies to Twilight. The reason behind this is given earlier in the episode when she fears not finishing the dress and being with her friends in time would "let them down" and she would hate doing that.
So in an effort to placate them she lies. Mistake on her part but not done for an egoistic reason really.

Her friends surprise her by showing up, Rarity tries to manage the situation by attending both parties. Twilight discovers this but gives her blessing.
Rarity still doesn't come clean for some reason (not sure why, probably to drag things out until the climax).
The other 5 start to crash the party, Rarity then decides enough is enough and sides with them. Revealing herself as a Ponyvillian. Fancy Pants stands up for her. She introduces her friends to him, which implies a confession.

She learns not to look down on her roots which was the cause for this whole mess to begin with.

There's nothing about her trying to appear generous, or about not being good at the high society thing. Quit the opposite in fact. She got into this mess for a generous reason, admittedly she handled it poorly but it was still done with the interests of others at heart. Not simply her own.
And she was actually a hot commodity in Canterlot.

This is the episodes strength, it conveys Rarity's motivations so clearly through the actual story and the story's tone and mood changes with her emotions. And the situations snowballs out of control (like other McCarthy episodes) as things need to become more dramatic.
This is all done with very little exposition and is why it is said that Rarity is the only pony who can carry an episode.

Edited April 12, 2014 by Whatevs

[hawkflame 3,315]

One of the things I picked up about this episode that a lot of people don't notice is how she's really torn between doing whats right by her friends and not wanting to disappoint the canterlot elite.  IIRC, she was inclined to leave and work on Twilight's dress, but the Canterlot ponies laid it on pretty thick about how their various events would just fail without her.  Is there self interest involved?  Yes.  Is it entirely self interest?  I'm not sure.

[Whatevs 377]

One of the things I picked up about this episode that a lot of people don't notice is how she's really torn between doing whats right by her friends and not wanting to disappoint the canterlot elite.  IIRC, she was inclined to leave and work on Twilight's dress, but the Canterlot ponies laid it on pretty thick about how their various events would just fail without her.  Is there self interest involved?  Yes.  Is it entirely self interest?  I'm not sure.

they did. Rarity says, "if I don't go my reputation in canterlot will be ruined."

Admittedly, it is not explained why she thinks this beyond them being pushy beforehand but it's still there.

I neglected to say this but I would like to see other peoples' opinions. But you do actually have to be accountable to proving them.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,336]

@@Whatevs,

I quite like your analysis of the episode. I'd just like to add something.

 

Rarity's belief that her business depended on all of the contacts she was making in Canterlot put a lot of pressure on her. She was desperately trying to balance her ultimate career goal with remaining true to her friends. I think she pulled it off nicely at the end.  

[Whatevs 377]

I'm honestly surprised more people have't replied. I was under the impression this episode had some controversy and I would like to hear dissent.

[Castle Bleck 19,446]

One of Rarity's better episodes, no doubt.

 

P.S. - inb4 ghostie