Notes from our 2.7.12 Book Club Meeting. . .

- The group would like to continue the book club with reading “The Girl Who Played With Fire” next.

-The film screening of the Swedish version will be screened on 2/28 at 6pm in Mariaschi. Followed by a discussion lead by USF faculty. All are welcome!

-Is the violence gratuitous? The theme of retribution is in question. What is just and fair? Lisbeth agreed to hide the evidence and make a financial donation instead of going to the police.

-Is this really a feminist text? In the end Salander didn’t end up with Blomkvist. Lisbeth is functioning on “getting through” not a place of social empowerment. What are Lisbeth’s motivations?

-One member researched more about Larsson which brings up the question on how Larsson’s life experience lead him to an anti-violence stance? What is the connection between anti-facism and feminism for Larsson?

-If a female author had written the book how would the reader’s experience been different? Discussion ensued about whether the male author makes the text feel voyeuristic. How would it be different if a male had been sexually assaulted in the book?

- Does the graphic nature of the book contribute to the success of the book? Does it minimize the violence?

-Why does Martin continue the cycle of assault and not Harriet? The cycle of violence is depicted here. Lisbeth frequently has “feminist moments” where she notes that violence is not okay.

- How do we reconcile Henrik Vanger’s inability to see what was happening to Harriett? Perhaps he was so close to the problem he could not see it.

-Let’s look at the role of 1) parents and 2) religion. A parallel can be drawn between Henrik and Harriett’s relationship and Blomkvist and his daughter. Religion has an unbalanced theme in the book. Blomkvist had the realization that he should be more involved with his daughter and she is vulnerable. How does the role of mothers in the book show the patriarchal nature of the book?

Next meetings (Megan will organize dates):

*Meet week after 2/28 movie screening to discuss movie vs. book
* Meet after spring break to go over the first 100 pages of “The Girl Who Played With Fire.”
*Meet late April for final discussion of “The Girl Who Played With Fire.”

Please contribute to this blog with your thoughts and reactions!

Lisbeth and Pippi

(This is Debbie writing. I have an old Blogger account with a non-USF gmail address so I'm Lil on this blog. Blame it on Google.)

I was just poking around to see if I could find any articles that linked Lisbeth Salander and Pippi Longstocking, and came across a couple of short, interesting pieces.

Pat Ryan in the New York Times pointed out that both characters share "singular beginnings, odd looks, and awesome skills".

I also came across a blog entry by Dorte Jakobsen, an English teacher in Denmark who reviews crime fiction and observed some
Longstocking/Salander parallels:

Just like Mikael Blomkvist, Salander thoroughly dislikes being compared to a hero from a children´s book. "He [Mikael Blomkvist] hates the nickname as anyone can understand. Someone would get a black eye if I were called Pippi Longstocking on a contents bill." (Mikael Blomkvist is teased with the nickname Kalle Blomkvist. It turns out Kalle Blomkvist is a boy detective character in three books by Astrid Lindgren, the creator of Pippi Longstocking.)

Lisbeth Salander... could easily pass for a teenage girl. Perhaps not quite like Pippi with her overlarge boots and red plaits sticking out at right angles, but certainly a conspicuous person.
...

Pippi lives on her own in a huge, ramshackle house together with her monkey, Mr Nilsson, and her horse, called Horse. We do not hear of Lisbeth Salander´s father in the first volume either, and her mother lives in a nursing home, so for all practical purposes she is also quite alone in the world.

Another essential point is their attitude to authorities.

Larsson told his publisher “My point of departure was what Pippi Longstocking would be like as an adult. Would she be called a sociopath because she looked upon society in a different way and has no social competence?” It fascinates me that a children's book character had such a hold on an adult, childless man that he modelled his own creation on her.

A Feminist Text?

Hello Everyone,

In anticipation of our final discussion on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I'd like to post a few questions that I have been thinking about:

1) Is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a feminist text?

2) Is the representation of violence in this novel gratuitous, or does it create an awareness of violence against women that may lead to social engagement?

3) Lisbeth Salandar has no qualms about using violence herself to "teach lessons." Is this acceptable? Understandable? Or, just a reinforcement of the biblical "eye for an eye" message?

Next Meeting

We'll be meeting on 

Tuesday, February 7th from 1-2pm at the GSC in UC 413

for the final discussion of 

The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo

We'll also be announcing the screening of the Swedish version of the film 

and discuss interest in reading additional books in the series.

Refreshments will be served.

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!!!