"She is a drag queen and female automaton, dominatrix and queer babe, at the same time, in different ways, for different audiences. We cannot simply answer the questions: 'is she a feminist icon or a sexist fantasy?'; a 'male fantasy' or a positive image'? But we can state, with some certainty, that she has certainty been taken up by feminists, and used for feminist ends." (188).
As the quote clearly displays, Lara is a confusing character. She is neither a sex nor feminist icon. If I had to choose though I think I would say she is more of a sex icon. The producers of the game know that they were targeting a male audience, and used this fact to their advantage. They knew that since boys are attracted to "hot" girls they could use Lara as an advertising tool for the game. Also based on what the people who played and talked about the game said they did not see her as a powerful women but rather as someone they had to "care" for.
I agree with your comment. I think that the back story that females connect with was created more as an afterthought and is not the driving force behind Lara's likability. Her appearance is first and foremost.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Lara is a confusing character. She represents alot of things and this has made her even more popular. She is an advertising tool because she represents so many things to all people.
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