The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

One of the novel’s prominent themes is violence against women, and an accompanying issue is the ways the media exploits and sensationalizes women’s suffering. At the same time, the novel contains explicit descriptions of rape, torture, and murder of women. Does the novel succeed in condemning violence by being explicit, or are the details gratuitous?

Armansky believes that Salander seems predestined for victimization when he describes her as “the perfect victim” (60). In contrast, Salander does not seek help from a woman’s crisis center because “she had never regarded herself as a victim” (259). How do each of these characters define “victim”? What is the significance of Salander’s decision to not turn to a crisis center or regard herself as a victim?

Blomkvist has sexual relationships with three of the main female characters in the novel, and he is truthful with his partners about his open relationship with Erika Berger. How does the novel describe the nature of his relationship with Berger? What does their relationship reveal about his character? Is he responsible for disappointing his lovers and/or his ex-wife?