Claire Redfield is one of the most iconic horror video game female protagonists. First introduced in Resident Evil 2 (1998), Claire is a mix of traits from the Everywoman archetype with an updated take on the feminine guardian angel character. She starts her journey as a regular college student thrust into a life-or-death situation with no expertise in self-defense, in sharp contrast to her co-protagonist, rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy. While her essential characteristics have remained consistent, her character has shifted throughout time, providing insight into how gender representations have affected characters playing her position. This essay examines her transformation by comparing her first depiction in the 1998 game to the 2019 remake, highlighting how the world’s changing gender standards and the evolution of some of the ideas behind her have polished her depiction.
Claire’s first appearance presents her as a common person thrust into danger. Unlike many female horror heroines at the time, she is capable, makes her own decisions, and works independently of the male lead. Her depiction, however, continued to rely on traditional feminine motifs, notably in her bond with the girl she saves, supporting a narrative of power via motherhood (Frontagia, 1991). Claire is also depicted as more fragile than Leon, often remaining silent when dealing with dangerous situations or individuals, whereas Leon usually makes snappy quips even when under tremendous peril. Furthermore, the major adversary of her story—a massive, strong male looking bioweapon she can only flee from—serves as an inadvertent metaphor for masculinity winning over femininity. Her design also represents gender disparities; while Leon is dressed in a complete police uniform and practical clothes, Claire is given a vest and tattered shorts that reveal more of her physique.
Over time, the increasing presence of strong female protagonists in horror media allowed for more nuanced portrayals (Faithful, 2016). Claire’s evolution as a character culminated in the 2019 remake, in which her essential identity as a college student in a risky circumstance was preserved while her characterization was updated to meet current standards. While still inexperienced, she was given training in self-defense and handgun handling, which fit with her history as the younger sister of a police officer who was frequently in danger. Her gentle voice was also changed with a more confident one and she was allowed to quip more frequently, which better suited her biker persona, her hotheaded disposition, and the way most protagonists of the series were written. Her relationship with the girl she rescues also shifted, now resembling a sisterly bond rather than a maternal one, with greater emphasis on Claire’s empathetic nature. Her design was modernized, with a more practical biker look featuring pants, boots, and a leather jacket. Even her secondary outfit avoided excessive sexualization, featuring an undershirt beneath her sleeveless top and visible battle scars, treating her depiction more equally to Leon’s.
Claire’s transformation from 1998 to 2019 highlights a broader trend in female character portrayals. As expectations for women in media shifted, Claire was able to move beyond traditional tropes, becoming a more confident and independent figure while still retaining the essence of what made her character compelling in the first place. Claire, who started as a regular person with themes of being a guardian angel to a little girl, evolved hand in hand with the trope itself by adding strength and bravery to her repertoire of skills (Williams, 2007). While her initial depiction did indeed show her as strong, her updated self-ditches the stereotypes of women in these kinds of roles to give a more complete and coherent character. She’s no longer a soft but brave person that has a tough exterior, she’s a tough person, someone brave that finds further strength in her empathy and care for others, a trait that is also way more present in the updated depiction of Leon. She’s a protector of the weak, but she has the “soul” of a warrior that has her own agency.
Although Claire’s makeover was questioned by some fans, the majority welcomed the change. Her transformation redefines her place in gaming culture and extends beyond aesthetics. She is portrayed as a more self-assured and independent heroine in the 2019 remake, which reflects the trend in the industry toward stronger and more autonomous female protagonists.
Claire’s evolution from the 1998 original to its 2019 remake demonstrates shifts in the representation of female characters. Even though she’s always been a main character, her original depiction restricted her ability to express herself. In contrast, her modern self is shown as resilient and assertive, able to confront challenges on an equal basis with her male counterpart. Her protective nature now expresses her empathy and resolve rather than themes of maternity. In this way, her development reflects the advancement by the video game industry in how they write their heroines.
Bibliography:
Faithful, George. “Survivor, Warrior, Mother, Savior: The Evolution of the Female Hero in Apocalyptic Science Fiction Film of the Late Cold War.” Implicit Religion 19, no. 3 (2016): 347–370. https://doi.org/10.1558/imre.v19i3.29626.
Frontgia, Terri. “Archetypes, Stereotypes, and The Female Hero: Transformations in Contemporary Perspectives.” Mythlore 18, no. 1 (67) (1991): 15–18. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26812483.
Williams, Jason. “The Angel No Longer in the Household.” Undergraduate Review 3 (2007): 147–149. https://vc.bridgew.edu/undergrad_rev/vol3/iss1/24.
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