Notes From 12/7 Reading Group Meeting

Shawn let the group know the blog will be featured as a highlighted link for USF faculty, staff and students to see.

The group discussed the idea of reading the trilogy; the group was enthusiastic about continuing to read the series.

Themes of transnationalism were discussed (the concept of people, cultures, border and non-borders, less about economics, heads of state, etc.). The book begins with a narrative in Greece and identifies Bosnian heritage for a character, etc.

The group identified Blomkvist and Salander as the main characters. How are they portrayed? How are we introduced to the characters? What do we make of the characters? Blomkvist we meet when he is at his lowest point. Yet, we see that he is passionate about his work. We are able to learn his thoughts and feelings through Larsson's writing.

Salander we meet through the lense of Armansky (a male voice). Is she an anarchist? We know she is non-traditional. On page 104 we learn how she can go "under cover" and sees others as the enemy. What is the meaning behind the reader only able to learn about Salander through others?

Larsson brings up contemporary issues; hacking; ethical journalism; these are prevalent topics today.

Theme of weak women through Salander's mother in the nursing home; other women like Erika and Salander are stronger.

The idea of how Larsson refers to women by their last names - is it a cultural piece? What is the meaning?

Issue of pressed flowers; what are people's reaction? Is Harriett sending them? Who is? There is no trace of Harriet alive or dead? Vangard wants to solve before dies; can Blomkvist make it happen?

Interesting parallel between Armansky taking in Salander and Vangard taking in Harriett. How does this relate to Swedish title of "Men who Hate Women?"

Theme of no conventional family structure in this text. Appears Salander's mom thinks more of Salander's sister than Salander herself. Is there meaning behind this? Vangard family is dysfunctional. Blomkvist doesn't see his daughter. Realistic quality of family in today's society. Who are the unconventional families within the book?

On page 104, Salander makes a judgement about Blomkvist. How should this be interpreted?

The group identified that teasers exist throughout the book regarding violence re: statistics, etc. Expecting more to come on the violence end.

The group concluded to finish the book by the end of January where the reading group will reconvene in an early February Reading Group meeting (Megan to schedule) and an early spring semester viewing of the Swedish version of the book.

Please share additional thoughts and ideas on this blog.

Happy Holidays!

Next Meeting

Wednesday, 12/7, from 12-1pm at the GSC in UC 413. 

Light snacks will be served.  

The meeting will review the first 100 pages of the book (no worries if you don't get that far). Also, if you have other friends or colleagues who would like to attend please feel free to invite them.

Books are at the Gender and Sexualities Center!

If you haven't already, remember to pick up your copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo from the GSC in UC 413!!!

Who & Why?

The so-called “Millennium Series,” a trilogy that includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005), The Girl who Played with Fire (2006), and The Girl who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest (2007), has quickly become a global phenomenon. Written by journalist and activist Stieg Larsson, all three books were published in Sweden within two years of each other, with foreign language translations following suite shortly thereafter. A film trilogy based on the books also became an international sensation and a new U.S. version is in production. In the trilogy, Lisbeth Salander, the female protagonist with Asperger’s Syndrome, is a young adult survivor of (psychological, physical, sexual) abuse. She comes to the aid of investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, as he tries to solve a 40-year mystery of the disappearance of a young woman. This unusual team wades through a world of extreme corruption, exploitation, violence, sexism, racism, family abuse, incest, and more in order to bring justice to its victim. According to one reviewer, “[Larsson’s] favorite targets are violence against women, the incompetence and cowardice of investigative journalists, the moral bankruptcy of big capital and the virulent strain of Nazism still festering away beneath all that shiny Swedish fairness.”

Literature is a powerful medium, because stories shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. Representations of gender, violence, and security transmitted in literature also shape women’s political roles in society. This project of the University of San Francisco's Women and Violence Research Group aims at examining this contemporary popular representation of women and violence in order to better understand, not only the appeal of such representations to the public, but also to deconstruct a post-modern representation of physical, social, political, economic violence against women, and its consequences. How does Lisbeth’s character, both victim and perpetrator of violence, challenge traditional notions of women as a ‘protected’ category in security studies? Is there any significance to the title change, from the Swedish Män som hatar kvinnor (men who hate women) to the English The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo? What is the relationship between Larsson’s political intentions as an anti-right wing activists and the popular culture appeal of the films – especially the Hollywood version currently in production to be released in December 2011?

The examination of the “Millennium Series” offers an collaborative opportunity for the Women and Violence Research Group and the student-centered Gender and Sexuality Center at the University of San Francisco.  The Gender and Sexuality Center was created in April 2009 as a “safe space” to address issues of sexual violence. The Center currently serves as a centralized resource for the University community to promote programs, events and resources related to gender, sexuality and violence.  The Center follows the American College Health Association recommendations to prevent sexual violence on college campuses.  One of the best practices encourages campuses to “integrate sexual violence education into curricular and non-curricular activities.”  The reading groups offers an opportunity for student, staff and faculty to further explore the role of women in violence in a non-curricular activity.  As such, the objectives of the Millennium Reading Group project will enhance the efforts of the Gender and Sexuality Center.