The role of young people in Stieg Larsson’s novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Essay

Updated: Aug 9th, 2019

Introduction

While analyzing the role of young people in Stieg Larsson’s novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, some basic ideas of the book must be revealed. First of all, it is necessary to point out that the novel belongs to the postmodern crime story. Larsson’s novel covers a variety of themes, which most important are serial murder, contemporary Swedish society, feminism, right-wing extremism, and the darkest sides of human nature. Generally, the role of young people is mostly associated with the last listed theme.

Family upbringing in Larsson’s novel

As far as abuse of young girls and women is considered to be one of the key events the author highlights, one can probably conclude that family upbringing is the burning problem of the society Larsson depicts in his work. The author gives readers an opportunity to trace back how sexual assault spoils people’s mind and distorts the way they accept the reality.

Thus, the protagonist of the story Lisbeth Salander is one of the young girls who has been subjected to violence by a man. When reading the novel, it becomes evident that there was not only the protagonist who experienced sexual assault, but almost every woman described in the novel. In order to prevent future abuse, Lisbeth neglects certain “societal norms and rules for politeness” (“Book Review – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” par. 5).

The importance of the equality

One is to keep in mind that Lisbeth is not depicted as a fighter for justice. When describing abuses of young girls, Larsson shows the importance of the equality between genders. However, it should be noted that the term equality goes beyond its original meaning.

Therefore, the issue of equality should not be regarded in its common sense; equality does not mean seeking for social, economic or any other parity. Lisbeth’s case proves that equality must be regarded as a condition, when a person has no need to look round the corner before he or she takes a step.

Lisbeth Salander and other victims in Larsson’s work

Lisbeth Salander is considered to be the character of promise and redemption. Keeping in mind that most of women cannot defend themselves against sexual crime, Salander seems to represent a new response to violence. Of course, the girl’s bitter experience impacted on her mode of life.

Thus, Lisbeth Salander is a girl of spirit: she lacks femininity and some kind of vulnerability. It is no accident that most of women in Larsson’s story were raped and killed. The author wanted to show readers the level of social injustice. Larsson clarifies that sexual abuse is recognized to be the global problem.

So, the victims depicted in the novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have a symbolical meaning. “Larsson paints Swedish society as a place where financial reporters treated mediocre financial whelps like rock stars and violent crimes against women frequently go almost completely unnoticed and unpunished” (Kyzer par. 5). In other words, one can conclude that there are two major problems Larsson is deeply concerned about: white collar corruption and violence against females.

The issue of morality

The issue of morality is also one of the major themes of the novel, which is to be discussed in detail. Thus, it is necessary to notice that sex education plays an important role in people’s life. Most of the young girls and women who were raped in Larsson’s novel were morally deprived. For this reason, their immoral behavior was associated with some biblical quotations.

Violence as one of people’s future determinants

Most of critics agree that the protagonist of the story Lisbeth Salander is mostly associated with a feminist avenger. Thus, the author gives us an opportunity to trace back what other characters of the novel think about Salander: “Armansky wondered whether he might be mistaken or whether Salander really was unsure how to continue.

The Salander he knew was never unsure or hesitant” (Larsson 42). When analyzing the plot of the novel, it becomes obvious that her prickly personality was probably formed on the basis of constant abasement she experienced when was younger. However, it should be noted that most of victims cannot resist violence and make no attempts to stop offenders.

If one divides victims into two categories (those who can resist offenders and those who are ready to suffer), he or she will notice how violence frustrates people’s future. Stronger people will probably start to lead a secluded life, in order to avoid future abuse; the perspectives for those who have been cracked because of violence are of wide range: some victims can ruin themselves with alcohol, drugs, etc.; others can go off their heat.

Larsson gives his readers an opportunity to understand how violence changes people’s values, expectations and beliefs. Moreover, he shows the way people’s bright hopes are replaced by certain worthless expectations.

The author reflects how violence impacts on the young girls’ worldview; he gives us a chance to compare two personalities of those who have been abused– the so-called personalities before and after: on the one hand, he describes the girls who believe in future, who have a lot of opportunities, who enjoy life; on the other hand, he shows the way sexual abuse transforms people’s desires: he depicts how violence destroys people’s faith, and outlines people’s existence.

Stieg Larsson’s novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo reveals the importance of gender and social justice. Nobody will deny the fact that there are new generations who determine a country’s future. It depends upon young people whether the society will be civilized or no. However, grown-ups are to think about security of their children.

The society is to take security measures, in order to protect individuals from domestic violence, rape and other sexual assault. Lisbeth Salander as one of the young girls who experienced violence is considered to be a powerful person who shows readers the roots of feminism. “Haunted, resilient, savvy, dark, unpredictable, and endlessly resourceful, she delivers ingeniously planned and colorful acts of vigilante justice to the irredeemable criminals who have the misfortune or poor judgment to cross her path” (Lyubansky and Shpungin 1).

Despite the fact that Lisbeth withstood sexual abuse, one can notice that her life is gloomy and she is alone. Lisbeth has no friends, she is unhappy and morose. Such traits in her character can be regarded as the so-called consequences of violence she faced. The protagonist of the novel is considered to be the author’s personal angel of justice. Keeping in mind certain symbolical interpretations of Larsson’s work, one can state that the main character is the only appropriate tool of doing fairness.

Conclusion

Finally, it should be pointed out that the young people in Larsson’s novel symbolize the most important problems the modern society faces. Showing violence the young girls and women have been subjected to, the author highlights the importance of equality and social justice.

Works Cited:

“Book Review – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” Seattle Pacific University. Web.

Kyzer, Larissa. “Three Percent Review.” Rochester.edu. n.d. Web.

Larsson, Stieg. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, NY: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2008. Print.

Lyubansky, Mikhail and Elaine, Shpungin. “The Cost of Justice.” Illinois.edu. 2011. Web.

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