Rarity: Heart of Gold, or Gold Digger?

Here we are again, another character analysis, and this time is everyone’s favorite histrionic fashionista, Rarity. This is, like with Trixie, an analysis that is long overdue, as this is regards to an incident from the first season. However, I won’t be satisfied until I publicly post my thoughts on the matter, and besides, this amazing show is always gaining new fans, some who might actually take one side or the other, so no reason not to put my own perspective out there for their benefit.

The episode in question is “The Best Night Ever” where Rarity hopes to woo Prince Blueblood, the nephew of Princess Celestia. Unfortunately the noble born pony proves to be anything but, acting like a brute the whole night, treating Rarity shabbily, and frustrating her more and more throughout the night, forcing her to use her cloak so he doesn’t have to step in a puddle, forcing her to open a door for him, and making her pay for their food, and overall, proves to be nothing but a spoiled, self-centered brute.

Or does he?

Another side of this story has been discussed, and it’s an intriguing notion, or at the very least deserves consideration. Blueblood has amassed defenders who state that Rarity was, quite frankly, a gold-digger, only interested in Blueblood because of his wealth, and thus Blueblood’s treatment of her was justified, as he was trying to shake off a gold-digger. Given that “Designated Hero” has been an issue even in THIS show (Look at Pinkie Pie in “Swarm of the Centrury”, for example) and is a genuine and rather severe storytelling fault. Like I discussed in my Trixie analysis, it’s important to make sure your protagonist deserves sympathy, and the antagonist be genuinely in the wrong, Is Rarity a victim of a high-born but uncivilized brat? Or is Rarity Unintentionally Unsympathetic, due to her social-climbing behavior? Let’s examine her behavior throughout the night. After all, while people are free to interpret behavior however they wish, these interpretations have no weight to them if they aren’t in line with what we see onscreen.

Looking at Rarity’s behavior throughout the Gala, I can’t see Rarity as a Gold Digger. Note her dialogue during the Gala Song: “At the Gala, all the royals, they will meet fair Rarity, they will see I’m just as regal at the Gala.” So while she’s definitely hoping to earn the attention of the Nobles, she’s trying to earn that on her own merits because of her own elegant and high-class mannerisms. Also, in regards to Blueblood: “I will find him, my Prince Charming, and how gallant he will be, he will treat me like a lady.” Note she says nothing about his wealth or status, she refers to him as a “Prince Charming” because of a common girlhood fantasy about Princes being very romantic and dashing, and Rarity clearly has a fairy tale idea of romance. The only thing she says she wants is to be treated like a lady. Also note the different ways they both treat Applejack, despite Applejack being a commoner, Rarity is friendly as respectful to her (Rarity and Applejack are friends, but Blueblood didn’t know that at the time.) demonstrating that status is not everything to her while Blueblood referred to Applejack’s food as “commoner fare”, showing his disdain for the common folk. Compare THAT to Soarin’ of the Wonderbolts who, despite being a super famous celebrity didn’t even hesitate to purchase one of Applejack’s pies despite it being “commoner food”.

Even if Blueblood thought she was a Gold Digger, he could have told her he wasn't interested, or if she persisted, he could have summoned some guards to escort her away. Instead he spent all night abusing her. Let’s assume he did in fact think she was a Gold Digger. He ASSUMED that of her, judging her without even getting to know her first, compare to Rarity who put up with his behavior the whole night, hoping for his more gentlemanly side to come out. Or Gentlecolt, whatever. She gave him a chance, and he wouldn’t give her one. One might defend him by pointing out he’s so used to Gold Diggers he didn’t see the point in trying. Once again, he could have told her he’s not interested, or had the guards escort her away, there was no reason for him to be abusive to her. Was he fending off a Gold Digger or being a Jerkass? Well, evidence points toward him being a Jerkass, but what really cements it is his rude treatment of Applejack, using Rarity as a shield against that cake, and whining about getting cake on himself when she rightfully calls him out on it, since she got WAY more cake on her than he did. Also, whenever Rarity comments on how rude he is, he could have claimed that as a “Gold Digger” she has no right to criticize, but never did. If he thinks Rarity is in the wrong, he should call her out on it. For someone who was supposedly fighting off a Gold Digger, he sure was enjoying the attention he was getting.

Another theory has been offered, that Blueblood is a Male Rights Activist, who was fighting against the ages held tradition that a male MUST do all these things for a female. Interesting idea, and an understandable one on the surface. This episode did air in May of 2011, and in recent years society has become more and more aware of the double standards imposed on the male gender. I suppose one could view him as showing Rarity how it feels to have obligations simply because of your gender. On the other hand, he never said anything about these apparent double standards, so it’s just as easy to say he was simply being uncouth, especially given his overall rudeness. When Rarity starts criticizing him on his lack of manners, that would be the opportune time to point out the double standards he’s allegedly fighting against, but he doesn’t, so there’s no evidence to suggest he’s a Male Rights activist, but there IS evidence to suggest he’s just a jerk. Namely him reacting with disgust to “commoner” food, as well as using Rarity as a shield against the cake (something she never tried to do to him), and then whining about her getting cake on him when she calls him out on this.

Not to mention that even if he was trying to point out double standards, he’s not really picking his battles well, as his actions are over pretty minor things. As someone who has been more and more resentful of those double standards myself, I still wouldn’t mind holding a door for a lady, or offering her a flower, for example. You need to pick your battles, voice your thoughts, and have some form of decency, otherwise your point is lost is how much of a jerk you are, which does your cause no good. No evidence says that Blueblood was fighting against gender-based double standards, and all evidence says he’s a jerk. Even if he was fighting for a cause, he was doing it badly. It also occur to me that if he was really about equality, he would have done SOME of those things for her, instead of making her do everything, which factors into him being a jerk

So! Does Rarity have a Heart of Gold, or is she just a Gold Digger? My verdict is that she has a Heart of Gold, and was in fact the victim. Blueblood was completely in the wrong, and deserved what he got.