Lara Croft is, arguably, the most
recognisable hero from a computer game.
However, the way that she is represented is problematic and has provoked
a lot of debate. Initially the game
‘Tomb Raider’ presented Lara Croft as a strong, resourceful and brave adventurer
who explores tombs and archaeological sites and was intended to counter stereotypical female characters found in
games before 1996. Debate surrounds her subsequent representations in a range
of mediums, including a film starring Angelina Jolie in 2001, and as to whether
Croft is a positive or negative role model.
As Zoe Flowers says, ‘Lara Croft continues to personify an ongoing
culture clash over gender, sexuality, empowerment, and objectification.’
You will analyse this trailer to explore how Lara Croft has been
represented in this 2013 re-boot of the franchise.
Consider the previous representations of Lara Croft in computer
games by exploring the links in the resources section.
Your task is to de-construct the representation of Lara Croft to
offer a response to the following examination question;
Explore the different ways in which people are
represented in your three main texts.
What should be done:
The exam board advises that you go from ‘the specific to the
general’. This means that your exam response needs to focus on the text and
then broaden your discussion to cover the issues and debates that arise.
De-construct the trailer by creating a table such as the one
below to order your writing.
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Denotation –Signifier –What can be seen or heard?
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Connotation-Signified-What does it mean?
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Costume
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Dialogue
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This text would allow you to respond to this examination
question;
Explore the different ways in which people are
represented in your three main texts.
You could begin like this;
‘In the trailer for the Lara Croft computer game, which is
to be released in 2013, the character is presented as a 21 year old explorer on
her formative adventure. Croft is edgier
and more vulnerable than the character we are familiar with….’
In his own, inimitable, style Charlie Brooker discusses the
representation of gender in computer games
In this article Mary Hamilton
argues that the representation of Croft in her new incarnation is lazy in using
a controversial back story to make her seem vulnerable
This video compiles computer game representations of Lara
Croft 1996-2008
This video compiles representation of Lara Croft 1996-2013
This article in the journal of ‘game studies’ wrestles with
the very question that you are considering about the ambiguous representation
of Lara Croft, ‘whether
she is a positive role model for young girls or just that perfect combination
of eye and thumb candy for the boys.’
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