THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
by Stieg Larsson
by Stieg Larsson
Icebreaker:
At the beginning of
the major chapters, the book includes facts about violence against women in
Sweden. Given the country, and more
specifically the city or region (GTA) that we live in, do you feel comfortable
and/or safe as a woman going about your daily life (e.g. taking the GO Train
into Toronto or doing power walks or jogging in the evening hours)?
Questions:
1.
What was the one thing about
this book that stood out to you?"
2.
The narrative contained a
number of plot twists. Who did you
imagine sent the framed flowers to Vanger each year?
3.
Why do think Anita never talked
to Henrik about Harriet?
4.
Who do you consider the novel’s
protagonist? Lisbeth or Mikael? Why?
5.
Do you think anyone in the family
knew about Martin’s terrible secrets, other than Harriet and Anita?
6.
Discuss the character of
Lisbeth. Some think she is a “perfect
victim”, others find her intimidating, and Mikael wonders if she has
Asperger’s, but the reader is allowed to see exactly how her mind works. How do you see her? How do you think she sees herself?
7.
What do you think about the way
Lisbeth turns the tables on Bjurman? Is
it admirable, or a sign that she is unstable?
(a)
What ultimately drives Lisbeth
to take action against Wennestrom on her own?
Does she go too far?
8.
When Lisbeth goes to the tattoo
parlour to get her new tattoo, she tells the tattoo artist that it is “a
reminder”. What do you think it is a
reminder of?
9.
Lisbeth’s character is
enigmatic and antisocial throughout much of the book. What do you see as the catalyst for the slow
emergence of her personality?
10.
Our perception of Mikael is
that of a womanizer. However, in fact,
it is the women that seem to approach him.
What is the basis of the attraction between Mikael and:
(a)
Lisbeth Salander;
(b)
Cecilia Vanger: and
(c)
Erica Berger?
11.
Mikael tells Lisbeth that to
him, friendship requires mutual respect and trust. By those standards, who in this novel is a
good friend? Is Mikael? What about Anita?
12.
Several times in the novel, Mikael’s
journalistic ethics are challenged. Do
you consider him to be ethical in your opinion?
Is anyone in the novel truly honourable?
If so, why?
(a)
What is your opinion about
Lisbeth’s method of investigation? Can
it be justified to break the law in order to solve a crime?
(b)
Discuss Henrik’s request that
Mikael never publish the Vanger story.
Is it a reasonable request? Does
Mikael’s acquiescence change your opinion of him? Do Lisbeth’s demands mitigate his ethical
breach?
13.
Blackmail is used several times
in the novel for different ends. Who
uses it most effectively, and why?
Examples:
(a)
Lisbeth – Bjurman;
(b)
Henrik – Mikael;
(c)
Martin – Harriet.
14.
Which character’s duplicity –
or innocence – did you find the most unexpected? Which one emerged as your favourite?
15.
What did you make of the final
scene of the book, where Lisbeth saw Mikael with Erica Berger? Had you hoped that Lisbeth and Mikael would
stay together?
16.
Anything else we missed that
you wish to discuss?
17.
Overall remarks about the book.
No comments:
Post a Comment