Lisbeth Salander
Salander, who is one of two main characters, is a deeply disturbed woman in her early 20’s. Although Larsson does not specifically reveal this, there is evidently some part of Salander’s past that makes her so disturbed. Salander is described as a short, pale woman, with black cropped hair, and countless piercings; all of which only enhance her “disturbed” image. Throughout the novel, Salander seems to be dealing with a number of psychological problems. For example, she has a difficult time socializing with other people, she always feels the need to be in control of situations, and she has a particular hatred for men. All of these problems create a character who is visibly dealing with some form of internal anguish. Along with Salander's apparent psychological problems, she is also a complete genius. She has the ability to track down information on just about anything, and this in conjunction with her photographic memory, makes her unparalleled investigator. In this already dark and deeply mysterious book, Salander adds yet another level of confusion and secrecy that allows for an extremely intriguing character.
Lisbeth Salander's character is very similar to The Beast in, Beauty and the Beast. Both Salander and The Beast have extremely rough exteriors, that make them appear somewhat socially awkward to an outsider. However as the stories progress the readers/viewers begin to understand that there is some form of internal anguish within these characters that causes them to act how they do. Furthermore, in the case of both characters, as the story continues they very slowly begin to open up to specific people (Belle for the Beast, Blomkvist for Salander), and put their trust in these relationships.
Lisbeth Salander's character is very similar to The Beast in, Beauty and the Beast. Both Salander and The Beast have extremely rough exteriors, that make them appear somewhat socially awkward to an outsider. However as the stories progress the readers/viewers begin to understand that there is some form of internal anguish within these characters that causes them to act how they do. Furthermore, in the case of both characters, as the story continues they very slowly begin to open up to specific people (Belle for the Beast, Blomkvist for Salander), and put their trust in these relationships.
Mikael Blomkvist
Blomkvist is the second of the two main characters in this book. Much of the story is centered around Mikael Blomkvist, who adds a stark contrast to the character of Lisbeth Salander. Blomkvist is a well composed, well mannered journalist, who is hired by Henrik Vanger to solve the mystery of Henrik's niece, Harriet's death. After recently being convicted of fraud in one of his journal articles, Blomkvist is desperately in need of a break from his magazine, The Millennium, and promises Vanger that he will do his best to determine what happened to Harriet. As the story progresses Blomkvist's devotion to the mystery grows even more intense, and even causes him to make some poor decisions. All in all Blomkvist is a reliable, hard working, and righteous man who creates a much needed counter personality for the intense personality of Lisbeth Salander.
Mikael Blomkvist's character is very similar to Pinocchio. Both Blomkvist and Pinocchio are nice people, however their lies seem to cause them problems. In the case of Pinocchio, whenever he tells a lie not only does his nose grow, but it ends up getting him in trouble. In the case of Blomkvist, he doesn't really mean to lie, however when he does it also ends up getting him in trouble. Both characters also work very hard to make things right when something bad happens.
Mikael Blomkvist's character is very similar to Pinocchio. Both Blomkvist and Pinocchio are nice people, however their lies seem to cause them problems. In the case of Pinocchio, whenever he tells a lie not only does his nose grow, but it ends up getting him in trouble. In the case of Blomkvist, he doesn't really mean to lie, however when he does it also ends up getting him in trouble. Both characters also work very hard to make things right when something bad happens.
Henrik Vanger
Henrik Vanger is in a sense the patriarchal character of the story. Similar to Salander, Vanger is also disturbed, but in a completely different way. Henrik Vanger is one of five brothers, who are part of the highly regarded Vanger Corporation. Vanger calls upon Blomkvist knowing that his desperation will cause him to accept his extremely difficult task. Many years earlier Vanger was taking care of his niece, Harriet Vanger, when she mysteriously disappeared from the families Island. Years later, no body has been found and Harriet's fate is still unknown. However, each year Henrik Vanger receives a framed flower on his birthday, a present once given to him by Harriet. For years this has been psychologically torturing Vanger, and as a last resort he asks Mikael Blomkvist to try and solve the mystery of Harriet's disappearance. Throughout the story Vanger seems to act as the wise father figure for many of his fellow compatriots. For this reason Vanger is consistently levelheaded and kind, and tries not to let his obsession with Harriet's disappearance show.
Henrik Vanger's character is very similar to Albus Dumbledore's character in the Harry Potter series. Throughout all of the Harry Potter books, Dumbledore manages to maintain this well-composed facade despite everything that happens. However as the book progresses, the reader becomes very aware that there is something that is obviously disturbing Dumbledore, seemingly on a psychological level. Dumbledore's age and wisdom also presents him as the most significant patriarchal character of the book. All of these qualities are ones that Henrik Vanger also posses in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Henrik Vanger's character is very similar to Albus Dumbledore's character in the Harry Potter series. Throughout all of the Harry Potter books, Dumbledore manages to maintain this well-composed facade despite everything that happens. However as the book progresses, the reader becomes very aware that there is something that is obviously disturbing Dumbledore, seemingly on a psychological level. Dumbledore's age and wisdom also presents him as the most significant patriarchal character of the book. All of these qualities are ones that Henrik Vanger also posses in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
