Anya is just a victim

I know this title may seem inflammatory or seem like troll bait, but I think understanding her character arc, or lackthereof, is vital to understanding what I believe is the core message of the game.

I hope this hurts.

Anya does not have a complex character arc. She is not a nuanced character. She is not unique. She does not possess any of these qualities that I often see this community try to force on her for one simple reason: She was actively robbed of a chance to be special.

I hope this hurts.

I understand. I understand that nobody with a half-decent moral compass wants to accept this. You see her go through hell from the beginning of the story to the end. She does make several subtle and not-so-subtle attempts to regain some level of independence/self sustainability. But unfortunately, she is shut down every step of the way. She is actively reduced to just a “thing” for Jimmy to use and for the rest of the crew to overlook every step of the way, she is actively reduced to “just” a victim.

I hope this hurts.

She is not a special or unique character in the story. It’s revealed multiple times that she is only there because she lacks the money and “exceptional-ness” to do anything greater, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s normal. It’s average. Just like you. Just like me. This job was her best attempt at becoming exceptional in what her passion was; helping people. However, through corporate greed, those around her turning a blind eye, and being the target of especially heinous act(s), she had been stripped of her individuality. She had become a consequence of action and inaction. She had been reduced to…just a victim.

I hope this hurts.

I know it hurts to hear. I know hearing that sounds cold. I know hearing that sounds evil. But deep down, you know it’s true. The developers knew it was true too. She is purposely written in a way to try to get the player (you) to understand how multiple factors (namely SA) can affect an innocent. To deny this is to turn yet another blind eye to the reality the story is trying to get you to see… and for what? So you can feel better about yourself? So you can maintain an illusion? So you can keep things looking Curly on the outside? We’ve seen how that can go. Open your eyes, or the whole ship will go down, and your eyes will be forced open… but by then it will be too late.

I hope this hurts.