Some thoughts about Big Macintosh and characters being "dumb" · 5:04am Aug 21st, 2015
Okay so... there seems to be this stigma that people don't really want to admit about characters and personalities and want to have this constant view in their mind that their character doesn't have flaws, mostly around the idea of a character not exactly being... smart...
I'm using Big Macintosh as an example for this, but in my opinion a character like Braeburn could also fall into this category, but Big Macintosh is honestly a little dumb. A lot of people don't like to discuss things like this for some reason, they enjoy discussing flaws around a character but it usually never relates to how smart they are or it's just treated as a joke (See Rose from Golden Girls). But I think a character like Big Macintosh is the kind of kid to grow up in school always on the brink of failure because he just didn't get any of his subjects and no amount of tutoring could really help him. He's socially dumb, book dumb, and it can affect his relationship with Caramel of all things. Thick might be a bit better word to use for his social skills, plus it just sounds more pleasant. Thick can be cute, thick can be funny if used in the right tone. But thick characters can also cause stress between relationships with things they have to learn. Socially dumb or 'thick' is my personal favorite to write maybe because I personally relate to it a lot.
Bringing up Braeburn for a moment I think he's the kind of character who can ramble on and on when nervous or excited or sad or basically feeling any emotion (Which thankfully makes it super easy to see when he's really hurt by the way he quiets down) and he just kind of keeps talking and talking about things he's passionate about and can't really shut himself up. It's bazaar how you put a lot of your own qualities into your own characters without really thinking about it and shaping a personality around such a little aspect of yourself. (Caramel's shyness, Blueblood's inability to take compliments, Braeburn's ramblings).
It's a bit to my understanding that my explanation of this might be related to mild forms of autism and Asperger, but I don't think that really applies to Big Macintosh. See Big Macintosh being thick is closer to... him not realizing why canceling their date on a big day like Hearts and Hooves Day to work overtime on the farm was a big deal because Caramel told him it was okay. People seem to be afraid to show their characters as not being smart or even average. Mac thinks emotionally and doesn't put much thought into his actions because he gets frustrated if he thinks to long because not much makes sense to him. A thought process by Big Mac is probably along the lines of...
Caramel is upset, comfort him now
It's quick and straight forward. It's a big reason why he struggles so much to speak words of affection to Caramel over show physical affection. Speaking to Caramel and trying to tell him his feelings results in him getting upset at himself and frustrated and probably pulling on his hair because he can't put all of his feelings into words. He shuts himself out verbally from so many ponies that he just can't be social the way ponies like Caramel can be if forced into situations. It's why he's blunt and able to do things embarrassing to Caramel that Caramel overthinks, like saying he's dating a man and saying what he wants in bed without beating around the bush. This can be a good thing in some situations, but it can also lead to Mac embarrassing himself without really realizing it. He just seems like the kind of pony who doesn't know how to do much but his job and tries to put all of his effort into loving his family and Caramel in the meantime. He knows deep down that he's not smart enough to do anything big with his life so he just tries to make those around him happy.
I think I may have lost the point of this blog. I just wanted an excuse to talk about my big red Frecklebutt. Also I like being able to talk about characters. A lot.
Personally, my headcanon of Mac is that he's pretty damn smart, he just doesn't talk much .
I mean, someone has to balance the books at Sweet Apple Acres.
He could probably just be a bit...socially inept.
3336115 I always thought it was Applejack and Granny who did all of the financial stuff on the farm to be honest. Mac seems like he does just about everything else on the farm AS WELL as random handiwork around Ponyville. Then again I have far too many headcanons about my gay horses.
3336118 well, I guess we can agree to disagree then.
The microcomic friends forever with Twilight Sparkle portrait him as someone with an organized mind and smart enough to name the apples by the sciencetific name. So I guess he is not dumb academiclly speaking. Also Applebloom say he is timid when the CMC ship him with cherrili.
The way you describe Big Mac here sounds scarily like myself. Can't wait to read all your stories about these two :D
3397265 Geez melting snow is so old but I still love it because I love the characters. My current favorite story of mine is Blossoming Roses which is Blueblood.
Blueblood is my baby.