Mabel’s Selfishness: The General Critique

Do you think Mabel gets too much hate? I noticed when a female character acts selfish she gets hated on but when a male character does the same it’s praised

We’re free to love or hate any character with or without reason. That said, I feel sad seeing Mabel hate and agree Mabel receives too much hate. I feel like the rhetoric claiming she’s unforgivably selfish is skewed. I think people have decent criticisms regarding Mabel’s character and how she’s presented. However, I don’t think they sufficiently describe the full picture.

Anecdotally, I don’t think this is a case of sweeping sexism because Ford also receives more criticism than I think warranted. My perspective on how much hate each character proportionately receives could be incomplete, though.

But anyway. Let’s talk Mabel.

First though: please don’t try to debate this with me. If you don’t like my opinion, no worries. That’s chill. I’m just not interested in using my recreation time debating this. Thanks! :) However, if you want further clarifications, analyses, case studies, etc. I’m happy to talk more, because this is NOWHERE close to exhausting my thoughts on this topic.

Mabel’s Selfishness: The General Critique

image

I think everyday anti-Mabel criticism tends to use points like:

When other characters act selfishly, they’re called out and the narrative punishes them. But when Mabel wants something, she gets it, and it’s a reward (The Deep End, The Time Traveler’s Pig, Escape from Reality).

Mabel never learns how to give up something important and deal with that loss. Even when she lets something go, it’s not something that would have been good in her life. For instance, her failed puppet performance is “dodging a bullet” rather than losing something meaningful, since Gabe’s just a puppet kisser. In the end, she doesn’t have to live with sacrifice (Boyz Crazy, Sock Opera).

Mabel even selfishly causes the apocalypse by giving Bill the rift. She’s never held responsible for that (Dipper and Mabel vs the Future).

The narrative reinforces that Mabel is a good person even when she’s not (The Last Mabelcorn).

People particularly look at Mabel in S2 over S1; many claim that’s when her character began to feel selfish and insufferable. 

This isn’t everything, but I have tried to characterize the rhetoric fairly based upon what I’ve seen.

I find these discussion points understandable. Mabel can be self-focused and sometimes ignores others’ feelings. Alex Hirsch admitted in DVD commentaries that he focused on Dipper learning lessons because he put himself in Dipper’s shoes. And some of Alex’s writing intentions could’ve been clearer, like instances where the twins resolve conflicting desires. We could talk about how the show could be improved or the character is legitimately not-selfless.

At the same time, I think how fandom uses these talking points isn’t 100% fair to Mabel’s character or the show’s full narrative. 

I want to point out that Mabel hate for her selfishness covers two fronts: one claim that Mabel is selfish, and another claim that the surrounding plot doesn’t handle her selfishness satisfactorily. I think there’s fair constructive criticism when it comes to narrative framing (even if I disagree), but I don’t think the same dialogue is good rationale against Mabel’s personality. At times I see the two concepts conflated. The narrative may annoy you if you think selfishness isn’t addressed in plot, and contribute to you disliking the character, but claiming “Mabel is selfish” because of that is flawed logic. 

In this analysis, I’ll cover both fronts. I’ll tackle the four points I mentioned above and explain why I find them too harsh. I’m not going to cover all my thoughts (yes, my original draft was longer!!), but I will argue:

Mabel reverses her selfishness - and that’s the big choice sealing the climax of multiple episodes. She doesn’t get off “consequence free” either (Boyz Crazy, Sock Opera)

Mabel sacrifices for others. The narrative does show that Dipper and Mabel meet in the middle, not that Dipper feels guilty enough to ameliorate his sister’s wishes (Sock Opera, Escape from Reality)

Mabel giving the rift to “Blendin” mirrors Dipper offering a puppet to Bill. Both twins are emotionally compromised and believe they’re making a harmless deal with an inconsequential item. Neither would’ve made these choices in calmer circumstances. Sock Opera doesn’t have Dipper deal with his culpability; relax up on Mabel (Sock Opera, Dipper and Mabel vs the Future)

Mabel’s selfishness is addressed, handled, and resolved. The moral of The Last Mabelcorn isn’t defending Mabel’s goodness; it’s Mabel embracing imperfection. Mabel learns she’s a bad person and changes her perspective of herself multiple times in canon (The Last Mabelcorn, Lost Legends)

I could also have talked about how selfishness isn’t required to be resolved in her character arc, all the times Mabel does nice things for others, how she doesn’t always obnoxiously hog the spotlight, and other things, but I want to cap the length of this essay.

So let’s begin.

Can Mabel learn from selfishness if she’s consequence-free and never handles meaningful loss?

image

Anti-Mabel Argument: Circumstances don’t adversely affect Mabel. This means she never has to sacrifice for her brother like Dipper does for her. For instance, in Sock Opera, Mabel sees that Gabe is a weirdo over-obsessed with puppets. Her failed puppet performance was “dodging a bullet” rather than losing something meaningful, so she doesn’t learn true self-sacrificial love. Mabel never learns how to give something important up and deal without it. So, she never changes.

Czytaj dalej

More Posts from Hicartoon and Others

1 year ago

There’s TADC spoilers ahead so proceed with caution

I know we’re all sad about Gummigoo but honestly I feel like he kinda had to be removed because it wasn’t going to be what’s best for Pomni

This is only her second day and while her nightmare in the beginning makes it clear that kaufmo’s abstraction did a number on her mentally, it also tells us something else. That Pomni fears that she’s not going to make it and these people will not care or even remember her if she abstracts.

There’s TADC Spoilers Ahead So Proceed With Caution

These people aren’t her friends. She barely knows them and she certainly isn’t trying to. The only attempts to get along with her directly are coming from Ragatha, and it’s very clear they’ve already started off with a strained relationship.

There’s TADC Spoilers Ahead So Proceed With Caution

So Pomni is kinda just walked into this adventure, which she clearly isn’t interested in, and when things go haywire and she encounters someone having a similar existential crisis to the one she had only a day prior, she can relate to that. And she says it herself, she could really use a friend. She makes comparisons between Gummigoo and herself. She doesn’t have memories anymore outside of the game she’s been out in. She feels like nothing. I think she’s inadvertently telling him advice she needs to hear herself, if she wants to get through this, that this can be a home and she can be somebody real there.

There’s TADC Spoilers Ahead So Proceed With Caution

But the thing here is that he’s not the same as her. He’s an NPC. An AI. A piece of the game. Pomni is missing memories. He never had any others. Pomni is trapped. He’s being offered even more of a life. Caine also let’s us know indirectly that it seems to not be good to get players and NPCs mixed up.

There’s TADC Spoilers Ahead So Proceed With Caution

And once Gummigoo is gone, we move on to the final scene, Kaufmo’s funeral. Here we see that everyone aside from Jax’s absence) cared about Kaufmo. Zooble set up the service. Ragatha couldn’t keep from crying no matter how many times she’s been through this. Gangle and her drawing of the two of them. Kinger explaining how they like to do this to honor those they’ve lost. It’s made very clear that this group of people care deeply about those they’ve been forced to be stuck here with. That they’re not going to let someone who abstracts be forgotten, what Pomni feared would happen to her in her own abstraction nightmare. And while staring face to face with what could be a possible future for her, she has her own realization.

There’s TADC Spoilers Ahead So Proceed With Caution

That these people she’s stuck here with are in her life now and they will care about her in some capacity. She needs a friend, and these people here are the only ones who are going to understand the unique situation she’s doing through, and as long as she lets them, they can be there for her when she starts to fall.

There’s TADC Spoilers Ahead So Proceed With Caution

Tags
2 years ago

Mystery kids vs Mickey Mouse

Lili: Okay. How do you take out an evil dictator?

Norman: We… Cut off their resources?

Lili: *Writes that down* Okay, that’s good. What are Mickey’s resources?

Wybie: His long-time fans, influence over young girls who enjoy princesses, his cruise ships, game shows, Marvel and Star Wars geeks, and Fox.

Lili: Fox?

Wybie: Fox. I don’t even think they can curse anymore.

Lili: … Okay, we need to take this bastard out right now!

Raz: Let’s just shoot him!

Dipper: You think it’s that easy? No, he’ll just come back stronger than ever. We need to get rid of him the same way they did Walt Disney.

Mystery Kids: …

Coraline: No… No, that’s just a myth.

Mabel: We’ve been on the inside long enough to know that it’s not a myth. Walt Disney’s body is being preserved in his statue.

Coraline: So we’re really gonna freeze Mickey?

Dipper: It’s our only option! We need to get rid of him permanently.

Neil: How would we even do it?

Dipper: The company wants to look progressive in order to erase the… Ugliness back when Disney was still new.

Wybie: You mean like that movie with the rabbit who was just a metaphor for slavery?

Dipper: Yeah, that’s the one.

Wybie: And the deleted scene with the black centaur girl?

Dipper: Yes.

Wybie: And the crows?

Dipper: That too.

Wybie: Those Siamese cats, romanticizing Pocahontas and John Smith, What Made the Red Man Red?

Dipper: Yes, all of that. Well, I say we do something a little drastic.

Neil: You mean we find those lost tapes and threaten to air them unless Mickey comes here to “meet our demands” and that’s when we freeze him?

Mystery Kids: …

Dipper: … Y-yeah, basically. Let’s go find those tapes.

2 years ago
Let Me Present You Mercy Gone Wrong AU
Let Me Present You Mercy Gone Wrong AU
Let Me Present You Mercy Gone Wrong AU

Let me present you Mercy gone wrong AU

Where Lambert stuck in a crown because Narinder thought that violence was a question and the answer was yes


Tags
1 year ago

This is so sweet !!!

"The Gift"

"The Gift"
"The Gift"
"The Gift"
"The Gift"
"The Gift"
"The Gift"
"The Gift"

So I haven't seen any pieces addressing to this specific event from Shamura's quote, so I decided to take it into my own hands. With angst of course. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

"The Gift"

Tags
2 years ago

Had a silly idea earlier for the "Opposite versions" of the bishops I guess. I have no fucking clue what to call them but they exist and I love them. But I think "Bishops of light" is a good name for now, plus it'll make organization easier for me. Feel free to ask about them tho !!

Had A Silly Idea Earlier For The "Opposite Versions" Of The Bishops I Guess. I Have No Fucking Clue What
Had A Silly Idea Earlier For The "Opposite Versions" Of The Bishops I Guess. I Have No Fucking Clue What

Here's a robed version along with some silly doodles (Feat. Narinder)

Had A Silly Idea Earlier For The "Opposite Versions" Of The Bishops I Guess. I Have No Fucking Clue What

Tags
1 year ago
It Is Time.to Draw Fnati
It Is Time.to Draw Fnati
It Is Time.to Draw Fnati
It Is Time.to Draw Fnati
It Is Time.to Draw Fnati

it is time.to draw fnati


Tags
2 years ago

Pluto Saves the Day

A Twisted Wonderland House of Mouse!AU story

When the staff all fall into a deep sleep as a result of Pete’s plot to shut down the club, it’s up to Pluto (and Grim) to save the day.

(AKA: what happens when I’m bored on a plane and have House of Mouse episodes saved on my computer)

Words: 4.3K

image

Czytaj dalej


Tags
2 years ago
Springtrap But Fnaf Lore Expert Michael
Springtrap But Fnaf Lore Expert Michael
Springtrap But Fnaf Lore Expert Michael
Springtrap But Fnaf Lore Expert Michael
Springtrap But Fnaf Lore Expert Michael

springtrap but fnaf lore expert michael

1 year ago

Rich wasn't sure how this happened. One moment, he went back into the factory to grab his keys. The next thing he knew, he was pulled into the office by Rowan Stoll to explain the sightings.

"Hi sweeti-Wha...?"

"Hi mom..." Angel grinned sheepishly, eight colourful living plushies -was that purple cat in a straight jacket?!- hanging from his body. "Remember how you always wanted grandkids?"

Mrs. Rich stared at her adopted child. "...Richard..." she called as the giant Kissy Missy, supported by a massive DogDay, waved. "Richard, you better come here, now."

Well. That wasn't the worst reaction in the world.

-_-

Rich stared at the giant assortment of plushies.

The small Smiling Critter plushies had been herded into an old playpen and were currently feasting on the beef stew his wife had made in a hurry. The bigger toys- the Bigger Bodies toys holy fuck Rowan had been right about that part- sat around the table, currently eating much more elegantly.

At least, DogDay and Kissy Missy were.

CatNap was glaring at the wall while Poppy stood on the table, staring him down. Rich tried to not sweat. He always thought the Poppy dolls were the creepiest little things and now that he knew that a little girl was essentially in there, it made things worse.

"Okay, I'm back!" Angel's cheery tone made Poppy blink, and Rich tried to not so obviously slump with relief. He felt a brow raise as DogDay straightened, looking delighted as Angel sat next to him. His wife, his darling wife who he owned so many things, was already there to set a bowl of stew down. "Oh, thanks Mom!"

"It's alright, sweetheart." She sounded stressed and Rich made a promise to make it up to her. Maybe go to that fancy restaurant that she had been hinting at? "Now, your dad has a story to share, it seems."

...Oh boy.


Tags
2 years ago
It’s Finally Here!! The Tiny (Toy) Au!
It’s Finally Here!! The Tiny (Toy) Au!
It’s Finally Here!! The Tiny (Toy) Au!
It’s Finally Here!! The Tiny (Toy) Au!
It’s Finally Here!! The Tiny (Toy) Au!

It’s finally here!! The Tiny (Toy) Au!

You’re a sad person that’s been hiding away in your apartment for years, leaving only to get whatever materials or groceries required.

As you grew lonelier, you began to learn how to make toys. And what’s a better toy to make than the adorable puppet from your favorite kids show? But why make only him when you can make the whole cast!!

Or an au where Wally is a tiny toy that’s obsessed with a human.

Wally fits in your palm, while Poppy and Barnaby are as big as a teddy bear

Home is still Wally’s house, opening through the middle to reveal its little rooms. You have to use two hands to hold Home, so it’s decently big

Julie and Sally are a tiny bit bigger than Wally, with Frank and Eddie requiring two hands to hold

Howdy is a bit smaller than Poppy and Barnaby

You know that the toys you created are alive so you make a room to put The Neighborhood in

Wally occasionally tears up the other toys (none of his friends) that you have made out of jealousy

You put scented plush hearts in each of them


Tags
Loading...
End of content
No more pages to load
  • t1rkb
    t1rkb liked this · 4 months ago
  • t1rkb
    t1rkb reblogged this · 6 months ago
  • thirstyvulcan
    thirstyvulcan liked this · 7 months ago
  • adhd-mess
    adhd-mess liked this · 8 months ago
  • izutye
    izutye reblogged this · 8 months ago
  • izutye
    izutye liked this · 8 months ago
  • faithful-grigori
    faithful-grigori liked this · 8 months ago
  • kkeziama
    kkeziama liked this · 8 months ago
  • p0psugar
    p0psugar reblogged this · 8 months ago
  • p0psugar
    p0psugar liked this · 8 months ago
  • dragondawdles
    dragondawdles liked this · 8 months ago
  • ashtonq247
    ashtonq247 liked this · 8 months ago
  • lucy-heatfilja123
    lucy-heatfilja123 liked this · 9 months ago
  • emberlynn-sapphire-anarchy-angel
    emberlynn-sapphire-anarchy-angel liked this · 1 year ago
  • sirghostheart
    sirghostheart liked this · 1 year ago
  • kevins16blog
    kevins16blog liked this · 1 year ago
  • satilinethejay
    satilinethejay reblogged this · 1 year ago
  • satilinethejay
    satilinethejay liked this · 1 year ago
  • thej13579
    thej13579 reblogged this · 1 year ago
  • thej13579
    thej13579 liked this · 1 year ago
  • fusionkitty23
    fusionkitty23 liked this · 1 year ago
  • fusionkitty23
    fusionkitty23 reblogged this · 1 year ago
  • empty-account
    empty-account liked this · 1 year ago
  • roseraintears
    roseraintears liked this · 1 year ago
  • artistlearningsstuff
    artistlearningsstuff liked this · 1 year ago
  • trunksbride-blog
    trunksbride-blog liked this · 1 year ago
  • steadytrashpastacash
    steadytrashpastacash liked this · 2 years ago
  • the-weird-girl
    the-weird-girl liked this · 2 years ago
  • craycray-wolf
    craycray-wolf reblogged this · 2 years ago
  • craycray-wolf
    craycray-wolf liked this · 2 years ago
  • the-stars-are-alive
    the-stars-are-alive reblogged this · 2 years ago
  • the-stars-are-alive
    the-stars-are-alive liked this · 2 years ago
  • tokachithewarrior2
    tokachithewarrior2 liked this · 2 years ago
  • scoutypb
    scoutypb liked this · 2 years ago
  • illiardbilliard
    illiardbilliard liked this · 2 years ago
  • hicartoon
    hicartoon liked this · 2 years ago
  • hicartoon
    hicartoon reblogged this · 2 years ago
  • noodle-puppy
    noodle-puppy reblogged this · 2 years ago
  • noodle-puppy
    noodle-puppy liked this · 2 years ago
  • cryptic-unnamed
    cryptic-unnamed liked this · 2 years ago
  • whoopsie-collective
    whoopsie-collective liked this · 2 years ago
  • mindlessnonsense
    mindlessnonsense liked this · 2 years ago
  • vannastarlight
    vannastarlight liked this · 2 years ago
  • luminouslumity
    luminouslumity reblogged this · 2 years ago
  • luminouslumity
    luminouslumity liked this · 2 years ago
  • chestnutapple
    chestnutapple liked this · 3 years ago
  • summerbythelake
    summerbythelake liked this · 3 years ago
  • bittersweet-ball
    bittersweet-ball liked this · 3 years ago
  • n1ghts1ash
    n1ghts1ash liked this · 3 years ago
  • kip-reblogs
    kip-reblogs liked this · 3 years ago
hicartoon - Bez tytułu
Bez tytułu

138 posts

Explore Tumblr Blog
Search Through Tumblr Tags