(Header picture found here www.deviantart.com/art/My-Litt… - thanks for the permission to use it inspectornills)
A Lack of Equality in Equestria - Representations of Masculinity.
‘Friendship is Magic’ has been celebrated in terms of its rich array of personalities and avoidance of flimsy female stereotypes – for example Faust wanted Rarity to be interested in fashion but they didn’t all have to be - Rainbow Dash and Applejack are accepted tomboys. The mane six have been given more unique and varied characters to reflect the fact that there is not one type of girl (unlike criticism aimed at some girl-toy based brands where all the characters have similar shallow fashion-obsessed personalities). However, despite furthering the representation of varied female identity, in FIM males are often marginalised or given shallow stereotypical roles in contrast to brands primarily aimed at the boy-market (such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Power Rangers) where an make an effort is made in the toys and cartons to ensure their female characters, even if few and token, are clever, strong and sassy.
Forced to work in the fields under terrible weather conditions.
While a given that FIM targets a female audience, and we should not seek to detract from the excellent role models it provides for young female viewers, I think it is worth analysing the potentially harmful representations of the marginalised gender which is male in this case. As raikim4never summed it up: ‘I still want to see mostly Mane Six and CMC, but I don't think the male characters should suffer poor characterization because of that.’
Feminist readings often cite the problems with ‘virgin/whore’ dichotomies and I think we find similar narrow groupings of the male characters in FIM on top of the fact male ponies occupy much less screen time and seem to make up less than 50% of the population in Ponyville (an idea that got me thinking about this subject back in 2013 when Equestria Daily posted this video that posited several theories as to why this was www.equestriadaily.com/2013/05… although the video doesn’t seem to work now).
Big Mac living the dream.
In addition to being marginalised in terms of screen time, there are few male speaking parts. One of the longest standing male characters, Big Mac, famously barely speaks, uttering little more than ‘yup’ or ‘nope’ (dream sequences aside). Big Mac is the strong silent type – he does all the heavy lifting and running of the farm while Applejack is off on her adventures. When ‘Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep’ showed Big Mac as an alicorn the effect was comic but this in itself is a worrying sign – it should be sad that Big Mac can only dream of being as successful and powerful as a princess and a cruel sign that we laugh as the root of the humour is in the fact this demi-god level of power is reserved only for a select few and, so far, all of them female (in the show at least, forgetting Prince Léon). Are we laughing at Big Mac feminising himself? The transformation sequence is clearly a nod to the transformations in another female dominated magic franchise, Sailor Moon. Does he have to be feminised to be accepted in a role of power in Equestria in a similar way to career women being represented/expected to be masculinised in order to succeed?
Male ponies are easily confused.
While we do meet some brothers and fathers, these relationships play minor roles compared to the importance of sisters in the series. Girls seem to hold all roles of power – until we get to Shining Armour whose name is a reference to the phrase ‘knight in shining armour’: the hero figure in a fairy tale who must save the day and marry the princess. Even as head of the Royal Guard however, Shining Armour’s importance is dwarfed by his Princess-demi-goddess wife (and later Princess-demi-goddess sister too). Despite his power ostensibly being based on quite a traditional male role as protector, he is tricked by Queen Chrysalis and must be rescued by sister and fiancée, undermining even this status.
When Shining Armour speaks to Twilight at her princess coronation in ‘Magical Mystery Cure’ he insists his watering eyes aren't tears but "liquid pride." Again, at Cranky and Matilda’s wedding we see him getting overemotional – once again the source of the humour here is that he is a cry-baby and that it is unexpected for males to show emotion – a very unhealthy belief.
Shining Armour’s introduction at the end of season 2 and felt like an obvious after thought. Why has Twilight never mentioned her BBBF in two seasons? Because he was only just invented by Hasbro to sell a royal wedding playset of course but internally within the narrative it jarred with audiences. In the mainstream brushable pony toy line, he is the ONLY male pony (available in both regular size and larger dress-up size but only ever in sets with his bride). There is no Big Mac or Dr Whooves despite their popularity and screen time – although these are now available as Funko vinyl figures presumably aimed at older collectors, probably male bronies. Girls have brothers, fathers, male friends, teachers, shop assistants…they make up 50% of the population so unlike other minority groups children may not notice are missing as they may never have met them there really is no excuse for such awful underrepresentation of males. To be fair, there are more male characters in the G4 blindbag mini figures range. Despite G4 being known for its male audience, even the original G1 toy line had more male ponies than that – although they didn’t start appearing until about 5 years into production (the point FIM is at now so fingers crossed!) Do look up the G1 male ponies – there’s a cute range of baby brother ponies and a number of adult males whose cutie marks were mostly weather or job related (including a Native American chief, cowboy and sailor - they look like they are ready to perform the YMCA). There were also three ‘loving family daddy ponies’ which were positive role models, a role Mr. Carrot Cake could neatly step into. Before Shining Armour, there was also another groom pony, Tux ‘n’ Tails (aka Coats ‘n’ Tails).
kaoshoneybun.deviantart.com/ar…
My re-imaging of some of the G1 male ponies in the G4 style
Which brings us onto male ponies being objects of female desire or mere armcandy – much like Ken’s annoyance in Toy Story 3 that he is seen as nothing more than another accessory in Barbie’s wardrobe rather than a person in his own right.
Rarity is particularly prone to crushes – first fancying Prince Blueblood who turns out to be a vain snob. In ‘Simple Ways’ her attempts to woo Trenderhoof goes awry – because he likes down to earth, plain old Applejack. At first this seems like a positive representation: males aren’t shallow about appearances and do fall for females who are independent and strong individuals. However, it seems that while Trenderhoof is able to see AJ’s qualities, female ponies on the whole are quite picky and snobby themselves in choosing mates and are only too happy to use their sexuality to get what they want. Rarity flirts with Spike, various bell-boys in Manehattan and Canterlot, the asparagus buyer as well as sweet talking a neighbour into pulling her cart. There was a whole song objectifying males called ‘Perfect Stallion – comprising a list of their shortcomings (including being too young, old, tall, short and smelly) which I can’t help but think would be considered unacceptable if the genders were reversed!
Another victim who has fallen-foul of Rarity’s flirtations
Then we have Flash Sentry – is he just eye-candy too? He hasn’t played a very pivotal role outside of Equestria Girls.
Even poor Big Mac is made a love interest for Cheerilee against his will when fed the Cutiemark Crusaders’ potion.
Shining Armour and Cadence and Mr and Mrs. Cake appear to be the only officially established couples on screen and while quite traditional in their relationships (as married heterosexuals) they do seem to have loving relationships even if it is clear it is the ladies who wear the trousers (despite the packaging for Shining Armour and Cadence toys says that they ‘lead the Crystal Empire together’).
Another fine example of Equestrian male.
So, here’s a quick rundown of some of the other notable male ponies and their potentially damaging characteristics:
- Snips and Snails - dim sidekicks made to drag around the Great and Powerful Trixie’s wheel-less carriage. They are an example of the menial manual labour often given to male ponies. Other examples include the royal guards, train conductors, Mane-iac’s hench ponies and the plough pullers in ‘Winter Wrap-up.’
- Pip and Featherweight – weaklings and runts - their names even refer to this. Contrast this with Bulk Biceps and Big Mac – size and body shape are apparently important in naming male ponies.
- Bulk Biceps – unintelligent and clearly a visual steroid joke supported by lines like "I'm all muscles! YEAH!" and "'P' is for 'Rainbow Dash'!"
- Filty Rich, Fancy Pants, Hoity Toity and Jet Set – their names show they are classy but possibly snobby at times. Their money and status attract Rarity.
- Soarin – barely talks, pie obsessed or injured, token male Wonderbolt.
Poor Spikey-wikey.
So far we’ve focused on male ponies but there are other male characters in Friendship is Magic and unfortunately they don’t fare much better. I could write a whole other article on how Spike is repressed – he is left with no real connection to his dragon-roots, he is criticised for following natural dragon hording instincts and is infantilised – the ponies are horrified at the idea of him growing up and so on.
Cranky is, er, cranky, and needs Pinkie and Matilda to fix things for him
Iron Will has to learn that bossiness and aggression won’t solve everything.
Fine examples villains.
Males do have one area in which they are evenly represented in number and success as females however: they do make ‘good’ baddies, for example Discord, King Sombre, Tirek, the diamond dogs, the Flim Flam brothers and Ahuizotl. But as this is a negative portrayal, I wouldn’t settle for that although it does show they have potential and are capable of playing important roles.
For a show called ‘Friendship is Magic,’ no-one really seems to be friends with male characters and, at least initially, they are often solitary or lonely – for example Cranky and Troublehooves.
Spitfire is quick to drop Soarin for Dashie.
The fact Twilly’s only friend was her big brother growing up just added to her weirdness prior to arriving in Ponyville, highlighting her need to form ‘proper’ friendships.
Although Discord eventually becomes friends with Fluttershy and the others he is not given a throne in Twilights’s palace despite his epiphany giving Twilight the all-important last key to unlock Rainbow Power. It is worth noting that although Spike does get a seat it is smaller and next to Twilight – is this for practical reasons to reflect his size or to symbolise his status as diminutive servant?
Don’t worry, things are looking up, Cheesesandwich!
So, male FIM characters are expected to be physically strong protectors although not actually efficient as it is always females who must save the day or fix their problems. They may be servants, enemies or love interests but are not permitted to be emotional. Masculinity is marginalised and not particularly positive looking. Adding to their underrepresentation, in ‘Hearth’s Warming Eve’ we see a problem similar to ‘whitewashing’ in Hollywood (where black, Asian or other ‘ethnic’ characters or historical figures are played by white actors) as an all-female cast even plays the male roles in the history play.
Improvements have been made though, starting with an increasing number of background male ponies. Dr. Whooves was given more lines in the 100th episode. The addition of more complex characters being given screen time and character development in the latest two series in particular have certainly helped: Cheesesandwich, Silver Shill, Troublehooves and recent rebel characters Double Diamond and Party Favour.
About the author:
Kaos Honeybun teaches Creative Writing and English in a college in England. Since studying ‘Fight Club’, she has been interested in the idea of a loss of masculine identity in 20th and 21st century. She still have many of her original G1 ponies including Baby Drummer.
Twitter: kaoshoneybun
Deviantart: kaoshoneybun
