The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

While I was reading the novel Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, I realized that this story not only portrays the theme of violence and sexual abuse, but it was also about the importance of and friendship and relationships. The novel illustrates the real life effects of sexual violence on victims and survivors, emphasizing the importance of getting help and the triumph of mentally surviving the event. Having friends and most importantly relationships, did a big part in the story to help some characters get through and find strength.

I found the character Lisbeth Salander very brave, because, not only did she fight back and gain revenge on her sexual abuser, Nils Bjurman, but she got through the torture and remained strong. If I was put in her position, I probably would have tolerated it and hid my pain. I understand how the event must have been truly traumatizing and would have felt like the end of the world for Lisbeth. That is why I admire her intensely. My mind cannot fully comprehend the horror of what she had been through, and I personally think that this was one of the biggest challenges a character had to go through in “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.

I think that the relationship that formed between Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth, had a major impact on helping on her emotional well being because she had never had someone to really depend on or trust in her life. He helped get her through the trauma of sexual abuse, by being there for her and falling in love with her. I believe love was the cure for her emotional distress, knowing she had someone there with her, who could put her mind at rest and always feel protected. I also think Lisbeth Salander helped Mikael in a way; he feared serious relationships because of his previous marriage and he preferred casual relationships. Lisbeth gave Mikael a reason to put that thought away and help someone who needed his love and distract him from his passed torn apart, family. Being in a relationship gave