One of the most annoying beliefs held by the Ruby fanbase is how people often think Ruby's character should develop. A lot people seem to think that in order for her to undergo character development there needs to be a drastic change in Ruby's personality. This is a complete misunderstanding of character development as the "change" a character experiences doesn't have to specifically refer to their personality. Change can occur in a characters beliefs. Whether that be how they see the world, themselves, or other people. All of that is still development. They can have a moment of internal growth or shift their understanding of something. But neither of those things requires the character to have a complete personality overhaul.

You can find a more simple explanation of all this here:

https://veronicasicoe.com/2013/04/29/the-3-types-of-character-arc-change-growth-and-fall/

The most well known type of character arc the Change/Transformation Arc or simply the Positive Change Arc is by far the most common type of character arc. It's the classic "Heroes Journey" that we're all familiar with. A story thats been told time and time again. This type of character arc is so ingrained in people's minds that they often automatically think that every main character must have have this specific kind of character arc or else they're not the main character. Jaune Arc also has this sort of character arc and it has led many fans to often joke that he's the "real protagonist" because of it. When in reality he just happens to be a character with the most basic and familiar kind of character arc. People often see this as the only kind of character arc in existence, or the only one that matters. Some even consider it the arc a protagonist is "supposed" to have and that is simply not true.

https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/create-compelling-characters-character-arcs/

Ruby isn't required to have that kind of arc. But the biggest problem is in how people want Ruby to develop. People want her to become disillusioned with the world, realize everything isn't all sunshine and rainbows and become this dark, gritty, maybe even a jaded and "oh so serious" character. I need you all to understand me very clearly when I say this: THAT. IS. FUCKING. STUPID. Maybe most don't argue it to those extremes but the idea that her character needs to be torn down and made more "real" is a foolish notion that persists throughout most of the critics of Ruby's character. Not only is this mindset utterly ignorant of the fact that thats not the only way to do a Character Arc but it also completely misses the point on the kind of character Ruby is supposed to be. As we've just established there are different kinds of Character Arcs and knowing to choose the right one for your specific character is important. The kind of Arc people want for her is not the kind of Character Arc that pertains to Ruby. Ruby is a Character meant to have a Flat Arc.

The Flat Arc

"NEXT TO THE Positive Change Arc, the Flat Arc is the most popular storyline. Also called the “testing arc,” the Flat Arc is about a character who does not change. He already has the Truth figured out in the beginning of the story, and he uses that Truth to help him overcome various external tests. The flat-arc protagonist will be confronted with tremendous opposition. He will at times be shaken. His commitment to the Truth will be tested to the breaking point—but he will never step away from it. He will experience little inner conflict and will not change significantly as a person—although he may sometimes change externally …the protagonist changes his perspective, learns different skills, or gains a different role. The end result is not “better” or more than the starting point, just different. The protagonist has not overcome a grand inner resistance or anything, he simply gained a new set of skills or assumed a new position, maybe discovered a talent he forgot he had, or a different vocation.

It is still a story of change. The difference is that the protagonist is the one changing the world around him, rather than the world changing the character, as we find in Change Arcs."

-K.M. Weildand, Creating Character Arcs

Thats the kind of character Ruby is meant to be and how she is meant to develop. She is meant to be the kind of character that possess inherent truths and uses them to change the world around her rather than having the world change her. To have tests and trials that she overcomes rather than ones that break her. Which is why it irritates me to no end seeing critics of her character suggest that her ideals have to be "broken down" or "destroyed" in order for her to develop. This ridiculous notion likely stems from the mindset that for something to be good it must be a "deconstruction". That for a character like her to be good in their eyes she must be torn down. Again, thats not the only way Character Arcs work nor is it how Ruby's should work.

Now in regards to Ruby's Character understanding what she's meant to represent within the Narrative is key to understanding how she should develop. Ruby is a character with Rose-Colored Glasses. The definition of this phrase means: "a cheerful or optimistic view of things, usually without valid basis". Some definitions even labeling it as having "Optimistic Eyes". This is clearly represented by her Semblance which allows her to produce Rose Petals. It's the physical manifestation of her Rose Colored view of the world. This would include the Silver Eyes which are literally powered by hope and optimism. To take these things away from her character is to literally cripple her not just as a character but even completely ruins her role in the story as it would contradict the themes of the narrative. Much like Superman, or Captain America, Ruby Rose is meant to be the bright symbol of hope in a dark dark world.

Character Growth & Semblance Evolution

A way to bolster the themes of the story & the character while having the character undergo growth would be to tie her growth to the evolution of her semblance in a way that resonates with these themes. Put Ruby in a situation where she truly understands just how dark and harsh the world really is but instead of succumbing to it, and becoming "disillusioned" like anyone else would she fights for her view of the world even harder. Coming to the conclusion that if the world is damn near hopeless then thats a damn good reason to have hope in the first place. Because if she didn't there would be none. If she didn't fight for it, then no one would. So instead of throwing away her Rose-Colored Glasses like anyone else would have upon realizing that it is an illusion she fights for that dream even harder. Deciding that if it was not real she would make that dream a reality. This would cause her Semblance to evolve. The Rose petals that elevated her, made her soar above the clouds is now able to do the same for everyone else. Instead of flying by herself she's able to make everyone else fly too. Externalizing her own Rose-Colored view of the world to everyone around her. Maybe even changing the environment around her into a field of Rose petals. Not only does this work as a powerup but it serves to hit all those core themes of her character symbolizing her growth in a way that actually falls in line with the story.

Ruby's Tests

Ruby's character is meant to be challenged and tested. But she's also meant to pass those tests. Though it shouldn't be easy. These tests should be largely external. But we can't challenge her unless we clearly define what exactly it is Ruby believes and why she believes it.

1.What Truth does your character already believe at the beginning of your story?

2.Does he have a Ghost in his backstory that prompted this belief?

This is whats missing from Ruby's character going forward. We need to have a clear backstory for Ruby to see how all of these beliefs of hers were formed. Where do they come from? Why does she believe in them so strongly? All of which are questions that no doubt have to do with her mother but the important thing is that once we know what those beliefs are we can start creating uniques and specific challenges designed to attack each and every one of these beliefs. To put them under pressure. Test her resolve and see how it is that she overcomes them.

Other Examples

A modern example of a Character that handles this perfectly is Repunzal from Tangled: The Series(Yes, I actually watched this. Was surprised at how good it was). Throughout the series Repunzal, is made to overcome countless challenges. Trying to bring hope back to a lawless town of criminals, helping inspire someone else to have faith in themselves, Fighting illusions that tempt her with her deepest desires, a test that challenges her optimism and how that ties into how she views luck, being forced to trust a former villain in order to save her friends, battling dark reflections of herself, times where her faith & trust in her friends are tested, etc etc.

Each of these challenges pressures her. Makes her doubt herself and the truth but in the end she overcomes them and passes each test with flying colors. She remains true to herself and isn't broken by her experiences. This character is basically Ruby Rose done Right.

There are other examples that go as far back as Sherlock Holmes, or Superman and even other modern examples such as the Paddington movies, or Steven Universe. But the point is these characters don't change much and theres nothing inherently wrong with that. As someone else put it, there's been an epidemic of "this character doesn't change" having become an inherently negative thing in everyone's perception. But that doesn't make these characters "lesser" or "poorly" written. Character's like Ruby just require a different style of writing.

What we need to see from her Flat Arc going forward is her changing people for the better. Changing her friends, other people and even the world around her in a more positive way. She must pass these various tests that sharpen her resolve, help refine her ideals(NOT destroy them)So that she may one day finally use the truth that she holds to change even Salem as well.

But yeah, thats how you write characters like Ruby. 

Also, heres a bonus for anyone interested in this topic:

Writing Characters Without Character Arcs

https://thenovelsmithy.com/character-arcs-flat-arcs/