Representations of Lara - Gender
Watch this short video of the 'Top 10 Women In Video Games'. What representations of women are typical?
Definition of gender: Gender
is concerned with how texts represent masculinity and femininity. It is also concerned
about gender roles and how the media plays a part in the creation of gender
identity
In game studies there is great concern about the way females are portrayed and how this can affect females self-image and male expectations – especially how males deal with emotions, how to deal with conflict, the treatment of women and ideal body shape and size.
In game studies there is great concern about the way females are portrayed and how this can affect females self-image and male expectations – especially how males deal with emotions, how to deal with conflict, the treatment of women and ideal body shape and size.
In computer games:
• The majority of game designers are male
• The majority of game characters are male
• Male characters are more likely to be portrayed as heroes and competitors
• Female characters are more likely to be portrayed as prizes, bystanders, props or helpers
• Male characters are more likely to engage in physical aggression to resolve issues
• Male characters wear more clothes, female less
• Female characters are more likely to scream, or be nurturing
• Male characters are more likely to be player controlled
• Male characters are more likely to take action or make decisive choices
• Male characters are more likely to speak in games
• Female characters are often hyper-sexualized
• Male characters are often hyper-muscularized
• Male characters are more likely to carry or use weapons
• The majority of game designers are male
• The majority of game characters are male
• Male characters are more likely to be portrayed as heroes and competitors
• Female characters are more likely to be portrayed as prizes, bystanders, props or helpers
• Male characters are more likely to engage in physical aggression to resolve issues
• Male characters wear more clothes, female less
• Female characters are more likely to scream, or be nurturing
• Male characters are more likely to be player controlled
• Male characters are more likely to take action or make decisive choices
• Male characters are more likely to speak in games
• Female characters are often hyper-sexualized
• Male characters are often hyper-muscularized
• Male characters are more likely to carry or use weapons
- What ‘message’ does the portrayal of male/female characters send to male/female players?
- What behaviour do games deem appropriate for males/females?
- Do games perpetuate/reinforce gender stereotypes?
- ... and how does Lara fit into all this?
Representations of Lara - sort the following into positive, negative and ambiguous representations
Now read the following notes and essays on Lara, along with her character profile.
Exam Question: Explore the ways in which your chosen texts reinforce or challenge typical representations of gender. [30 marks]
Using all of your notes on the above, plan and write an answer to the above question.
To include in your plan:
[Constructionist approach to representation]
• The person/thing being represented
• The opinions of those encoding the representation
• The reaction of the target audience
• The context of our society and dominant ideologies
To include in your plan:
[Constructionist approach to representation]
• The person/thing being represented
• The opinions of those encoding the representation
• The reaction of the target audience
• The context of our society and dominant ideologies
- Ambiguous figure – positive and negative readings
- Stylised representation of a dominant woman: think about appearance and behaviour
- Created by men to please men? Or a symbol of female empowerment and the ability of women to take control in a violent male world?
- Who are the audience and how do they interact with Lara? What is the dominant reading? Other readings?
- How does she fit into the dominant ideologies of gaming today? How does this game fit into the established ideology of Lara as ‘sex symbol’?